The Boston Celtics fought back from a 26-point deficit to force overtime against the Indiana Pacers last Wednesday night at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Although it wasn’t the type of fight that head coach Joe Mazzulla wants, he has much to be proud of with the way his team fought back to force overtime.

The Celtics came out on the losing end for the first time this season, taking a 132-135 loss in overtime.

Boston is now 7-1 on the season, holding the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference. Here are other notes and takeaways surrounding the Celtics:

Jayson Tatum’s 3-point Shooting

Jayson Tatum set a new career high in Indiana last Wednesday night when he attempted 18 3-pointers.

He still finished the game with 37-points on 10-of-25 shooting overall and had eight rebounds and four assists.

Tatum is averaging 35.5 percent shooting from behind the arc in eight games. Although it’s not a bad percentage, he’s logged four games this season of shooting below 30 percent from deep:

• Oct. 24 @ WAS: 3-of-11 (27.3%).
• Oct. 28 vs MIL: 1-of-8 (12.5%).
• Oct. 30 @ IND: 5-of-18 (27.8%).
• Nov. 2 @ CHO: 1-of-9 (11.1%).

Tatum needs to acknowledge when his shots aren’t falling and adjust his game accordingly to score points. He’s attempting 3.2 more shots from behind the arc (11.2) than he is inside of it (8.4).

In Boston’s eight games to start the season, Tatum has attempted at least 11 3-pointers in five of them:

• Oct. 22 vs NYK: 8-of-11 (72.7%)
• Oct. 24 @ WAS: 3-of-11 (27.3%)
• Oct. 26 @ DET: 6-of-13 (46.2%)
• Oct. 30 @ IND: 5-of-18 (27.8%)
• Nov. 4 @ ATL: 6-of-14 (42.9%)

The 3-pointers are going to fly in Boston no matter what, but being more balanced with shot selection needs to be more of an important concept as the season progresses.

Payton Pritchard is Solid

Payton Pritchard leveled up after winning a championship and it shows with each game he plays this season.

Pritchard is averaging 16.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 43.2 percent from behind the arc

He currently leads all bench players in points (128) and 3-pointers (32) this season.

Pritchard is playing more freely. He’s being more aggressive with his own shooting and he is in full control when he’s in the game.

One last note. Pritchard is already the favorite to win Sixth Man of the Year.

Neemias Queta is a Force

Neemias Queta earned the first start of his career on Monday in Atlanta. He finished with 10-points, seven rebounds, one assist, and one block. It was good enough to finish as a game-high +31 in 23 minutes.

Queta has a role on this team that only he can provide and one that Boston hasn’t seen from the position since Robert Williams. His ability to get put-backs and create second chance opportunities is invaluable for this team.

What’s great about Queta’s production is that it’s on both ends of the court when it comes to rebounding. He has 32 total rebounds, 14 on offense and 18 on defense.

With Queta playing with the starting lineup- Jrue Holiday, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White- the Celtics are a +19.5 points and +10.7 in rebounds in seven minutes this season.

It’s also worth nothing that the Celtics are a +33.1 points, +2.9 assists, +6.2 total rebound percentage, and +5.4 steals in 68 minutes this season with Neemias Queta and Payton Pritchard on the court.

Other Notes & Takeaways

• Jaylen Brown missed the last two games with a hip flexor strain and will miss the next game on Wednesday. Head coach Joe Mazzulla said on Zolak and Bertrand of 98.5 The Sports Hub that he neither him nor Brown is concerned with the hip flexor injury: “Not concerned. He’s doing well. It’s a strain, and he’s working really hard in treatment every day and just kind of working to get back at it. So, not concerned, and I don’t think he is either.”
• Jordan Walsh is getting more playing time in his second year. Mazzulla feels confident in his development and what he can bring to the table for his team, as Walsh told Kayla Burton of NBC Sports Boston.
• Steve Kerr should be prepared for a warm welcome at the TD Garden on Wednesday after the way he chose to use Jayson Tatum at the Olympics and also snubbing Jaylen Brown from the team.
• Kendrick Perkins refutes reporting on Celtics banning him from Banner Night.

What’s next?

The Celtics host the Warriors on Wednesday, a long anticipated matchup after some summer events this offseason between Tatum, Brown, Kerr, and Team USA.

Follow us on Twitter @CelticsFiles

Follow me on Twitter @Trombino20

Photo Credit: Kent Smith, NBAE Getty Images