The Boston Celtics desperately need to bounce back after a winless three-game road trip. While they need a win badly, so does their opponent, the Indiana Pacers.
The Pacers (15-15) are skidding just like the Celtics have been in recent weeks. In their last 12 games, they hold a 4-8 record and are clinging to a half-game lead in the race for the Eastern Conference's fourth seed.
Miraculously, the Celtics are just one game back of the Pacers despite being the No. 9 seed entering play on Friday night. Needless to say, a win could drastically shift the standings in the East and will matter big-time even at this early stage of the season.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Boston sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Forsberg: Why waiting until offseason to use TPE is a dangerous game
The C's will have to focus on slowing down Pacers big-man Domantas Sabonis, who was just named as an All-Star replacement for Kevin Durant. Sabonis is averaging 21.5 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game, all of which rank at least top-three on the Pacers.
Malcolm Brogdon will be the other key cog to stop, as the point guard is averaging 22 points per game against the C's in two games against them earlier this season. And those games were with Marcus Smart in the lineup.
The Celtics are 1-1 against the Pacers on the year, and this contest will mark the end of their three-game season series.
Boston Celtics
Be sure to tune into NBC Sports Boston at 6:30 p.m. for "Celtics Pregame Live" presented by TD Bank. We will have complete coverage at halftime with "Celtics Halftime Live" and after the final buzzer with "Celtics Postgame Live" presented by Your New England Ford Dealers. You can watch each show on the MyTeams App or by clicking here.
When: Friday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. ET
TV channel: NBC Sports Boston
Live stream: NBC Sports Boston or the MyTeams App