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Pacers kick off key homestand vs. Celtics

Mar 28, 2011 - 3:09 PM (Sports Network) - The Indiana Pacers are fortunate to be in the running for a playoff spot at 10 games under .500 and will try to move closer to that goal in the opener of a three-game homestand Monday versus the Boston Celtics.

Indiana is a game ahead of Charlotte for the eighth and final postseason berth in the Eastern Conference with eight games left in the regular season. It hasn't made the playoffs since the 2005-06 season and is coming off Saturday's 100-88 loss at Detroit in which Brandon Rush posted 19 points in a losing cause. Tyler Hansbrough and Danny Granger scored 16 and 14 points, respectively, for the Pacers, who have lost two straight and three of five.

"We just had a poor offensive third quarter, we fought to stay in it in the fourth quarter and (Charlie) Villanueva came in, hadn't played all game or last game, and he was the difference in the game," Pacers head coach Frank Vogel said.

The Pacers will also host Detroit and Milwaukee on the residency and own a 19-16 mark at Conseco Fieldhouse this season.

Boston hasn't played like an Atlantic Division champion lately and will resume a four-game road trip Monday night. It has won five of the past 11 games, including Sunday's 85-82 triumph against lowly Minnesota.

Paul Pierce had 23 points and seven rebounds, Kevin Garnett compiled 13 points and 13 boards and both Nenad Krstic and Ray Allen scored 11 points for the Celtics, who have won three in a row on the road and played without point All- Star guard Rajon Rondo because of an injured right pinkie finger.

"We have to work to win them all, tonight was no different," Garnett said. "Our first quarter ball movement was excellent, but (Minnesota) fought to get back in it."

The Celtics will also visit the Spurs and Hawks on the current road swing and are 22-13 outside of Beantown in 2010-11. They are currently two games behind Chicago for the top seed in the Eastern Conference with Miami just a half-game off the second slot.

Rondo, meanwhile, is questionable for Monday and is averaging 10.2 points and 11.3 assists per game.

Boston is aiming to sweep the season series with Indiana for the first time since winning all three meetings in the 2007-08 campaign. It has won five in a row and 11 of the previous 13 matchups between the clubs.