Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla had one thing on his mind following Monday night’s 98-96 loss to the Indiana Pacers: the officiating crew. That was the only topic Mazzulla cared to address postgame, and he boiled every answer down to the same two words.

The Celtics were unable to overcome the absence of star guard Jaylen Brown on Monday night, as they tallied under 100 points for the second straight game.

The Boston Celtics have been the best surprise in the NBA this season, bypassing a “gap year” with Jayson Tatum out to post one of the best records in the Easte

Pascal Siakam scored a team-high 21 points for the Pacers, including a go-ahead floater with 6.1 seconds left in regulation.

Brown, who’s posted career-best numbers through while co-star Jayson Tatum recovers from Achilles surgery, was ruled out with low back spasms. Poor perimeter shooting doomed the team in his absence, as the Celtics went just 9-for-35 from 3-point range (26%) in the loss.

Two teams at opposite ends of the standings meet tonight in Indianapolis when Payton Pritchard and the Celtics (24-14) take on Pascal Siakam and the Pacers (8-31).

"I don’t care, they can fine me whatever they want but it’s crazy. Every time we play a good team it’s the same [expletive].” The post Jaylen Brown fined $35,000 by NBA after ripping officials following loss to Spurs appeared first on Boston.