Pacers have little trouble topping short-handed 76ers

Field Level Media|published: Sat 18th January, 22:07 2025

Jan 18, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) shoots the ball while Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond (5) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Pascal Siakam recorded 21 points and eight rebounds and Myles Turner chipped in 18 points and 11 boards as the Indiana Pacers notched a 115-102 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday in Indianapolis.

Four reserves scored in double figures for Indiana, which won for the eighth time in nine games. Aaron Nesmith, Thomas Bryant and Ben Sheppard scored 12 points apiece off the Pacers' bench, while T.J. McConnell pitched in 10 points.

Indiana overcame a poor game from Tyrese Haliburton, who went 1-for-7 from 3-point range and 4-for-11 overall in finishing with nine points, nine assists and five turnovers.

Tyrese Maxey scored 28 points for Philadelphia, which played without Joel Embiid (knee) and Paul George (groin), among others. Ricky Council IV and Kelly Oubre Jr. each contributed 18 points while rookie Adem Bona scored a career-high 12 points for the Sixers, who have lost five games in a row.

Indiana led 93-85 with under 10 minutes remaining in the game when Siakam converted a three-point play and Bryant knocked down a 3-pointer to push the Pacers' lead to 14. Siakam's bucket then increased the advantage to 101-85.

The Sixers rallied with 10 straight points to get within six, and that was still the deficit with under two minutes left when Turner's jumper sparked a quick 6-0 run -- capped by Sheppard's 3-pointer with 1:10 to play -- that essentially sealed the outcome.

Indiana was in front 28-23 after 12 minutes of action and then led by as many as 11 in the second quarter. In fact, that was the margin with under two minutes remaining in the first half until Bona and Maxey combined for nine points down the stretch to draw the hosts within 61-59 at the break.

The Sixers led 71-70 with 7:19 left in the third quarter before the Pacers began to take control. Turner made a 3-pointer to ignite a 9-0 run, which he capped with two free throws to put the hosts ahead 79-71.

Philadelphia chipped away briefly before Indiana regained its footing and led 89-80 heading into the fourth.

--Field Level Media

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