The Indiana Pacers are traveling to Philadelphia to take on the blazing-hot Sixers, current winners of 7 straight games. Philadelphia won their last game against the Detroit Pistons on Friday, 114-106, their first in-season tournament victory.
The Pacers come into this matchup at a respectable 6-3 record, most recently defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 126-124. Indiana is currently on a three-game win streak and is sitting as the third seed in the Eastern Conference.
Sixers vs. Pacers Game Info
Who: Indiana Pacers (6-3) at Philadelphia 76ers (7-1)
When: 6:00 pm EST
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Watch: NBA League Pass, NBC Sports Philadelphia
Sixers vs. Pacers Betting Info
Spread: Sixers -7 | Pacers +7
Moneyline: Sixers -270 | Pacers +220
Total: 238
An update on Kelly Oubre Jr.
Sixers explosive guard/forward Kelly Oubre Jr. was hit by a car while walking last night. He was subsequently released from the hospital after sustaining broken ribs, among other injuries. He is going to miss significant time, but he will not be gone for the entire season. On a less important note, it is still unclear as to who will fill Oubre Jr.’s slot in the starting lineup. Oubre is averaging 16.3 points per game on 50.0/37.8/78.6 shooting splits.
Joel Embiid’s Dominance
Joel Embiid has been one of the best players in the NBA this year. Some would even say he has been the best. The big man has 31.9 points per game this season on a dominant 51.2% field goal percentage. On top of his ridiculous scoring numbers, “The Process” grabs 11.5 rebounds and blocks 2.3 shots per game.
Eight games in, Joel has already had a 48-point game in only 31 minutes against the Wizards and has put up a legitimate claim to be the early favorite for MVP once again. If the Sixers want to win this game, Joel Embiid must be every bit as dominant tonight as he has been all season long.
Key to the Game: Tyrese Maxey vs. Tyrese Haliburton
While all eyes will certainly be on the reigning MVP, Joel Embiid, and his incredible play, not enough could be said for the incredible play of both Philly’s Tyrese Maxey and Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton. Maxey himself has taken a massive jump in the first eight games of the season, averaging 25.9 points per game on 48.0% shooting from the field and 39.3% from three.
Even more impressive has been his playmaking growth, averaging 7.5 assists and only 1.0 turnovers per game. Haliburton, the leader of Indiana’s offense, is averaging 23.6 points per game on 50.4% from the field and 40.0% from the field. Haliburton is also dishing out an astonishing 11.6 assists per game while averaging 2.6 turnovers. Haliburton is having an incredible season and has really turned into the cornerstone and leader of this Pacers franchise.
While Philadelphia has Joel Embiid to lean on if Maxey’s shot isn’t falling, this does not diminish the importance of Tyrese Maxey to this Sixers offense. The 4th year guard is a pivotal piece for Philadelphia and is the X-Factor to how dominate they can be. Beyond just Maxey and Embiid, the Sixers are looking like a completely new team under head coach Nick Nurse. Tobias is looking like a legitimate third star, Batum is Niang 2.0, and Pat Bev has been the enforcer and a clear leader on and off the court.
The Pacers are an excellent team and one of the best-coached teams in the league, but if Maxey comes out aggressive, Embiid continues his dominant streak, and the Sixers keep playing Nick Nurse-Style basketball, the 76ers are in good hands against a vastly improved and feisty Pacers team.
