Pacers Regain Jackson but Lose to the Celtics

Stephen Jackson is still trying to control his emotions.

Only this time, the emotion is joy.

“It just feels like I am a kid playing basketball for the first time again,” the Pacer guard said after returning from a 30-game suspension in Indiana’s 100-86 loss to the Boston Celtics. “It felt good, but by the third quarter I kind of ran out of gas.”

Jackson scored 17 points in 38 minutes in his first game back since the Nov. 19 brawl against the Detroit Pistons at Auburn Hills, Mich.

“It would have been better if we got the win, but my team has been supporting me all this time,” he said. “I’m not going to let anybody steal my joy.”

Jackson also said he has learned his lesson, adding, “I have to show people there’s more to Stephen Jackson than what they see on TV. It just feels like a lot of pressure off my shoulders.”

Meanwhile, Paul Pierce had 23 points to help Boston (20-22) take the Atlantic Division lead from Philadelphia (19-22).

“If you win two in a row, you’re automatically in first place in the Atlantic Division. It’s in the agreement, you know,” Coach Doc Rivers said. “You lose two in a row and you can be in first place in the Atlantic Division.”

The Celtics hadn’t been in first this late in the season since Larry Bird’s 1990-91 season. Boston won its fourth consecutive home game a night after ending a nine-game road losing streak.

The Celtics also had lost seven consecutive games to the Pacers, including a four-game sweep in last year’s playoffs.

Boston got some bad news, however, when improving forward-center Al Jefferson left in the third quarter because of a high ankle sprain. X-rays were negative, but he is expected to miss at least four weeks.