After the Eastern Conference finals ended in one of the most competitive sweeps in recent years, the Pacers looked like a team primed for a step forward. Despite the loss, Rick Carlisle’s team showed it could keep its perpetual offense in motion while playing physical playoff basketball.

Sunday’s final buzzer closed the door on the Boston Celtics’ fourth loss in six games — a feat that they were able to avoid all of last season. Their second outing in three days against the Indiana Pacers had a much different feel than their first.

The Pacers went inside instead of setting for jumpers and outscored Boston 66-48 in the paint to make up for the loss of injured forward Obi Toppin.