Orphans of Joel Embiid, embarrassed at the foot, the Sixers welcomed Pacers who remained on four victories in a row, with the firm intention of winning for the third consecutive time. Objective achieved, certainly in pain, since the Philly players won after extra time (129-126).
Led by a good James Harden (26 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists), well supported by Tobias Harris (19 points, 10 rebounds), De’Anthony Melton (19 points, 7 rebounds) or even Tyrese Maxey (17 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists), the franchise of Philadelphia first mastered his subject for three quarters, before leaving Indiana come back in the last act, under the impulse of Buddy Hield (24 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists).
But, in extra time, the defense and the experience of the locals then calmed down these fiery visitors, not far from the robbery, but ultimately too short.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— Philadelphia first cracked at the end… While they still had a 13-point lead after three quarters, and they even turned +12 eight minutes from the end, the Sixers then lost the thread. Authors of 6 lost balls in the last act, when they had only committed 5 lost balls in the first three quarters, Doc Rivers’ men also took the lightning in defense, between the award-winning baskets of Buddy Hield or the points on the counterattack of the entire Indy team. A relaxation ultimately without consequence, but which nevertheless tarnished a rather serious performance, before that.
— …but Philadelphia then pulled away. In forceps, and despite a dynamic that was not to their advantage, the Sixers were able to find the resources necessary to go and win, in overtime, their third victory in a row. An extension that the locals obtained by making two crucial interceptions in the last 40 seconds of the fourth quarter, which led to two baskets on the counterattack from Tyrese Maxey. Before this same defense also does the job in the five minutes of overtime, to limit Indiana to 6 small points (2/7 on shots and 0/2 at 3-pts).
— James Harden secures without Joel Embiid. Deprived of their best player, the Sixers had to rely on a great performance from “The Beard” and he – overall – responded. “Overall”, because his fourth quarter and his extension were more complicated in scoring, after a hot start, all in aggressiveness. Undoubtedly blunted over time, the Philly leader has delegated some responsibilities to Tyrese Maxey, but also to De’Anthony Melton and Tobias Harris, focusing on creation, while setting an example in defense, despite the liveliness of Tyrese Haliburton.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Buddy Hield. If the Pacers were able to go into overtime, despite a delay of ten points at the start of the fourth quarter, it was largely thanks to the 6 successes at 3-pts (in 14 attempts) of their rear. Too often left free behind the arc, and well served by Tyrese Haliburton, the Bahamian sniper (also present on the rebound and the pass) thus made the Sixers defense suffer in the last act, bringing his team back into contact and making it squarely pass by, then hope for a heist unexpected. Unfortunately, his heat stroke was ultimately not rewarded with a victory.
✅ Montrezl Harrell. Voted Sixth Man of the Year three seasons ago, “Trezz” remains a player capable of making good use of his minutes when he gets them and, without Joel Embiid, the Sixers certainly needed him to show it. Contract completed for him, author of 19 points (8/9 on shots), 5 rebounds and 4 blocks off the bench. As always very energetic, the pivot therefore brought a lot of good things to Doc Rivers’ men, pushing the latter to use him in key moments, despite his limits in defense. Limits which, for once, were not (too) visible.
⛔ Philadelphia and the defensive withdrawal. Offensively, the Sixers may have been rehearsed collectively (seven players with more than 10 points) but, defensively, they still almost paid dearly for their inability to recover quickly and prevent the Pacers from running to score against -attack (32 points conceded in transition situations, against 18 scored). A weakness which was especially observed in the fourth quarter, when the Indianapolis players signed this run which allowed them to pick up the score.
THE FOLLOWING
Philadelphia (23-14) : Chicago reception, on the night of Friday to Saturday (01:00).
Indiana (21-18) : reception of Portland, on the night of Friday to Saturday (01:00).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YntvhKt3QpY
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