For the second time in four days, we’re getting a rematch of the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals.

But this time, just like it was on Monday night, there’s no Jayson Tatum and there’s no Tyrese Haliburton.

There is, however, 2024 Eastern Conference Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, who has played himself into the 2026 NBA MVP discussion with how well he’s performed as the team’s lead banana in Tatum’s absence.

And while his All-NBA teammate tries his best to get back during the 2025-26 season, Brown has his squad playing their best basketball of the season as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Whenever the Celtics (18-11) and Pacers (6-24) play over the next few years, that four-game sweep by Boston of Indiana will come to the mind of many. And when one team is playing like one of the hottest teams in the league while the other is in the mix for the No. 1 pick next spring, you can’t blame Pacers fans for clinging to something good from recent times while their team works through this awful bridge year.

Betting Odds for Celtics vs. Nets - November 21, 2025 (Full Game)

Spread: Celtics -7.5 (-110), Pacers +8.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Celtics -330, Pacers +280
Total: Over 220 (-110), Under 220.5 (-112)

Best number in each market via OddsTrader, which aggregates all the odds from every sportsbook to give you the best options to choose from.

Missed any of Monday night’s win over Indiana? Here were some takeaways:

1. Mazzulla The Maestro:

Down 20 and going nowhere, Mazzulla made the boldest move of the night - and maybe the season thus far - by benching his starters.

The message was unmistakable: what was happening wasn’t good enough.

The reserve group of Anfernee Simons, Baylor Scheierman, Sam Hauser, and Luka Garza, with Hugo Gonzalez staying on the floor, responded immediately.

They ripped off a 19-5 run, outworked Indiana on both ends, and injected life into a building that had been flat all night. It wasn’t pretty basketball, but it was effective, and it completely flipped the game.

2. It’s Hugo’s World, We’re All Just Living In It:

Gonzalez continues to look impossible to take off the floor.

The rookie played a career-high 37 minutes, finishing with 6 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks while posting a team-best plus-23.

He opened the second half with the starters, stayed on during the bench takeover, and didn’t come out until the final minute.

His motor, rebounding, and defensive activity stood out all night, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that Mazzulla trusts him in any lineup configuration. Which should surprise no one with the way he plays the game.

A great stat from my friend Sean Grande on the type of season Gonzalez is having amidst a group of super talented rookies:

3. A Tale of Two Shooting Halves:

Indiana couldn’t miss in the first half, hitting 60% of its threes despite ranking last in the league in three-point shooting and offensive efficiency.

Regression hit hard after halftime. Indiana went 1 for 20 from deep, and their offense collapsed.

Boston took advantage and controlled the pace as the comeback grew.

With Boston being the type of shooting team that it is, this type of comeback against a bad team isn’t exactly a shock. But with this type of comeback coming on the back of a performance by their bench unit no one will soon forget, you have to tip your cap to the coaching staff for developing their depth to a level where they’re capable of that type of output.

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4. Garza’s Physicality Mattered:

I did not have Garza getting a shoutout in the takeaways twice in a calendar week this season on my bingo card, but that’s just the type of season this Celtics team is having.

Luka Garza made the most of another opportunity, providing toughness and effort that the Celtics desperately needed.

He finished with 6 points, 9 rebounds (5 offensive), and 3 assists while playing 16 straight minutes in the second half.

While his defensive limitations remain, Garza’s rebounding and physical presence were major factors in swinging the momentum. He was a key piece of the bench unit that turned the game around.

5. Interesting Comments From Jaylen Postgame:

Presented without comment:

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Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.