The 76ers returned home on Saturday to face the Pacers for the 2nd game of the back-to-back after their last second victory over the Nets. In what turned out to be another tightly played contest, the Sixers would rely on a Michael Carter-Williams layup in the closing seconds to capture their 2nd win in a row. This marked their second win in front of their home fans. Brett Brown's team seems to be turning it around, winning 3 of their last 4 and since starting the season 0-17, the Sixers have are 7-12.
From a fan perspective it's awesome to see these players enjoying themselves on the court and watching Noel and MCW dancing to "Here Come the Sixers/1-2-3-4-5 Sixers" after the win. But I can't help and imagine Hinkie scheming alone in his office with the lights dimmed, plotting his next move to secure more 2nd rounders and ensure a higher draft pick.
From a fan perspective it's awesome to see these players enjoying themselves on the court and watching Noel and MCW dancing to "Here Come the Sixers/1-2-3-4-5 Sixers" after the win. But I can't help and imagine Hinkie scheming alone in his office with the lights dimmed, plotting his next move to secure more 2nd rounders and ensure a higher draft pick.
With the Pacers allowing the 2nd least opponent points per game, Brett Brown knew if defense would need to step up again as well. Down by 49-43 at the half, the Sixers made a 12-3 run early in the 3rd to take a 55-52 lead. Philly would expand their lead to as much as 7, but the Pacers wouldn't let them run away. The 76ers entered the final quarter up by 2.
The Sixers would build their lead to 7 after a break-away Wroten alley-oop off the glass to KJ, but then go scoreless for almost 5 minutes until the 2:50 mark. This scoring drought kept Indiana in it and they would retake the lead off a David West jumper with 1:51 remaining. A pump-fake and turnaround jumper from West gave the Pacers a 92-91 lead with 17 seconds remaining. Carter-Williams would drive to the paint and use his length to get around the 7'2'' Hibbert and connect on the layup to put Philly up 93-92. West would miss the Pacer's attempted game-winner as the 76ers finally won their second home game.
This game was not short of Sixers highlights. From a high-flying KJ rejection at the rim to Wroten off the backboard alley-oop to KJ on a fast break, this team can be really entertaining to watch.
Although they only shot 40% from the floor, the Sixers' defense held Indiana to 33% FG. The Pacers outrebounded the 76ers 54-44, with 19 offensive rebounds, but Philly's interior defense only gave up 28 points in the paint.
Wroten led the Sixers with 20 points in his usual reserve role. He also recorded 9 assists and 2 steals. MCW scored 15 points while dishing out 9 assists of his own. Covington kept up his scoring with 16 points and McDaniels added 10 points and 2 blocks. Nerlens Noel led the defense with 5 blocks and secured 9 rebounds.
West led the Pacers with a game-high 28 points and recorded 9 rebounds. Roy Hibbert collected 13 boards and turned away 2 shots. Rodney Stuckey scored 13 points and had 9 rebounds for the Pacers.
The Sixers play the Eastern Conference leading Hawks (28-8) on Tuesday in Philadelphia.
By: Matt Ryan
The Sixers would build their lead to 7 after a break-away Wroten alley-oop off the glass to KJ, but then go scoreless for almost 5 minutes until the 2:50 mark. This scoring drought kept Indiana in it and they would retake the lead off a David West jumper with 1:51 remaining. A pump-fake and turnaround jumper from West gave the Pacers a 92-91 lead with 17 seconds remaining. Carter-Williams would drive to the paint and use his length to get around the 7'2'' Hibbert and connect on the layup to put Philly up 93-92. West would miss the Pacer's attempted game-winner as the 76ers finally won their second home game.
This game was not short of Sixers highlights. From a high-flying KJ rejection at the rim to Wroten off the backboard alley-oop to KJ on a fast break, this team can be really entertaining to watch.
Although they only shot 40% from the floor, the Sixers' defense held Indiana to 33% FG. The Pacers outrebounded the 76ers 54-44, with 19 offensive rebounds, but Philly's interior defense only gave up 28 points in the paint.
Wroten led the Sixers with 20 points in his usual reserve role. He also recorded 9 assists and 2 steals. MCW scored 15 points while dishing out 9 assists of his own. Covington kept up his scoring with 16 points and McDaniels added 10 points and 2 blocks. Nerlens Noel led the defense with 5 blocks and secured 9 rebounds.
West led the Pacers with a game-high 28 points and recorded 9 rebounds. Roy Hibbert collected 13 boards and turned away 2 shots. Rodney Stuckey scored 13 points and had 9 rebounds for the Pacers.
The Sixers play the Eastern Conference leading Hawks (28-8) on Tuesday in Philadelphia.
By: Matt Ryan
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