Indiana paces into Beantown

Indiana, which is 3 1/2 games off the lead in the Central Division, posted a 91-72 victory over the Atlanta Hawks Tuesday at Conseco Fieldhouse. Al Harrington scored 18 points and Jeff Foster grabbed 17 rebounds to lead the Pacers, who have split their last four games.

Danny Granger posted 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Stephen Jackson netted 12 points and dished out a season-high six assists in the win. Star Jermaine O’Neal added 10 points and eight boards as Indiana improved to 8-4 over its last 12 contests.

The Pacers are 9-11 away from Conseco Fieldhouse this season.

Boston, meanwhile, will open a brief two-game homestand and has dropped eight of its last 10 games.

On Sunday the Celtics suffered an 87-79 loss to the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena. Tony Allen scored 21 points and added seven steals in the loss, while Wally Szczerbiak had 15 points and Delonte West netted 13 for Boston.

The Celtics, who are 2 1/2 games off the lead in the Atlantic standings, have lost three straight at home and are 4-11 at TD Banknorth Garden this season.

Boston defeated Indiana, 114-88, on November 15 this season in Beantown and has won five of the last six meetings.

Indiana has dropped its last four trips to Boston.