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Reeling Celtics visit improved Pacers

Jan 14, 2012 - 5:11 PM (Sports Network) - The reeling Boston Celtics will try to halt a three-game slide when they visit one of the NBA's most improved teams on Saturday, the Indiana Pacers.

The veteran-laden Celtics started this skid against Indiana in Beantown when they fell 87-74 back on Jan. 6. Another setback to Dallas followed before Derrick Rose and Chicago easily handled the four-time reigning Atlantic Division champions, 88-79, on Friday in Boston.

The Celtics nearly erased a 20-point deficit with a 25-6 run between the third and fourth quarters in that one. As so often happens, however, the Bulls called a timeout to stall Boston and weathered the outburst for their fourth straight win.

Ray Allen led Boston with 16 points and Rajon Rondo scored 14 with 11 assists, as Boston finished a five-game homestand at 2-3.

"It's been frustrating," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "It's been frustrating. But listen, I'd rather have it now. You're going to go through adversity or stuff. I'd rather have it right now."

In a lockout shortened season that features a plethora of back-to-back games Boston, a traditional contender for the NBA title, and its aging legs have been unable to hold up, at least thus far.

The Celtics did rebound from a dismal 0-3 start with four consecutive wins once Paul Pierce returned to the lineup but that was proven to be fool's gold. All those victories came against teams with a combined 7-28 record and the Celtics have has another three-game hiccup.

The Pacers, meanwhile, won their second straight and for the fourth time in five contests on Friday in Toronto.

Tyler Hansbrough's offensive rebound and ensuing free throws with 14.8 seconds left in that one gave Indiana some breathing room as the Pacers took a 95-90 comeback victory over the Raptors.

Hansbrough finished with 13 points and six rebounds to go along with George Hill's season-high 22 points for the Pacers.

Indiana has now won two straight over the C's after dropping the previous five in the series. The Pacers were able to top Boston last week despite an awful shooting night from Danny Granger and getting only two points from David West.

Granger has continued to struggle since and was ejected with 29 seconds left in the second quarter in Toronto last night after picking up his second technical foul.