Pacers complete sweep of Celtics

For only the second time in NBA history, a team swept a best-of-seven series and won each game by 10-plus points.

Jermaine O’Neal netted 18 points for the Pacers, who will play the winner in the Miami/New Orleans series in the second round.

"Obviously, it benefits us because the longer the New Orleans-Miami series goes, we get to rest," said Indiana guard Reggie Miller. "This is a big step for the younger guys, especially Jermaine (O’Neal), it’s a big step for all of us. The last three years, always going out in the first round and really having a shot to win all of those series because of (home court) advantage, we couldn’t seem to hold home court. This is a big step for this franchise, mentally, psychologically, for us to be hopefully the champions. We had to get out of the mind block in the first round."

Paul Pierce posted 27 points and 11 rebounds for the Celtics, who were eliminated in the first round for the first time since 1995 when they fell to Orlando, 3-1. Mark Blount added 21 points and 13 boards.

Despite Sunday’s point-total for Pierce, the Celtics all-star struggled in the series as Artest and the Pacers’ defense held him to 34 percent shooting from the field in the four games.

"I really have a bad taste in my mouth," said Pierce. "This is the second year in a row we have been swept on our home court. That is really not a fun feeling for you to go out there and not even get a win in the last two (series). Those consecutive losses in the past, it definitely leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I’m just very disappointed and don’t really know what to say."

Boston was also swept by New Jersey in last year’s Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Celtics led 33-26 midway through the second quarter, but the Pacers closed out the frame on a 20-5 run and they never looked back. O’Neal capped off the burst, which covered 7:04, on two free throws with 21 seconds left to give his team a 46-38 edge at the intermission.

Pierce made just one field goal in the second quarter and Boston was outshot 49 percent to 37 percent in the opening half.

Coming out of the locker room, the Celtics looked flat as the Pacers started the third quarter with a 13-4 spurt. Reggie Miller completed the run on a three-pointer midway through to put his team ahead, 59-42.

At the end of 36 minutes, Indiana held a comfortable 70-52 advantage.

The Celtics never cut the deficit down to single digits in the fourth quarter.

Boston won the rebound advantage 46-31, but could not overcome committing 26 turnovers.

The Celtics led 25-21 after a tightly contested first quarter.

The last time the Pacers swept a team out of the playoffs was in 1999, when they dismissed the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.