As the Celtics sail, the Pacers have lost their star and their swagger

BOSTON — When they’re at their best, the Indiana Pacers are a hoops confection. They’re a tasty alternative in a pro game that offers too much staleness in iso ball, which often relies on the brightest star with the biggest contract to take the shots. Although the Pacers now have their own resident all-NBA player in Tyrese Haliburton, don’t mistake them for a solo operation. Instead, they are a balm to basketball.