Celtics Drop Pacers in Blowout, Indiana's Playoff Hopes Fade

Warriors Down Clippers Behind Klay Thompson's 38 Points

The Indiana Pacers' playoff hopes took a major hit on Saturday night as they fell to the Boston Celtics 131-98. The Celtics, who are now 64-18 on the season, were led by Jayson Tatum's 33 points. The Pacers, who are now 47-35, were led by Tyrese Haliburton's 22 points.

The Pacers got off to a hot start, taking a 30-point lead in the first half. However, the Celtics slowly chipped away at the lead, and eventually took the lead in the third quarter. The Pacers never recovered, and the Celtics cruised to the victory.

The loss is a major setback for the Pacers, who are now 3.5 games behind the Miami Heat for the sixth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Pacers have just five games remaining on their schedule, and they will need to win all of them and hope that the Heat lose some of their remaining games in order to make the playoffs.