Some of Boston's inconsistency was inevitable. At one point Thursday night, Rivers had three rookies, Davis, and the second-year Banks on the floor. While that lineup offers all sorts of possibilities, it also invites trouble. First-year players can look like Bill Russell one night, as Al Jefferson did in Game 1, then Bill Murray the next. The postseason pace is faster, harder, more physical. It's a shock to the system the first time, and the Celtics' youngsters are learning that the hard way. Jefferson was clearly flummoxed Thursday night; conversely, Kendrick Perkins, in his first significant minutes of the series, looked like a gamer. Whether Perkins can build on that is anyone's guess.
This deficit is difficult to figure
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That's why the veterans -- particularly Walker -- must maintain their composure going forward. The effort is never in question with Antoine. He plays hard, and probably cares more about winning than anyone on the team. As always, he was a stand-up guy after his ejection Thursday night, waiting patiently at his locker for the media rather than ducking the unpleasantness by sneaking out the back. Walker was the measure of calm in Games 1 and 2, imploring his teammates to stay focused and keep their yapping to a minimum.
In Game 3, he forgot to take his own advice.
If I'm Doc Rivers, I'm telling my guys that time is running out. Boston is the healthier, deeper, stronger team. Before this series started, Pacers officials were privately conceding they didn't even belong in the playoffs.
If the Celtics can't eliminate a limping, depleted Indiana team, they are the ones who don't belong.
Jackie MacMullan is a Globe columnist. Her e-mail address is macmullan@globe.com.
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