Game — 76ers Vs Pacers: 76ers vs pacers 135-114 game recap
The 76ers vs pacers matchup ended in a decisive Philadelphia victory as Tyrese Maxey poured in 32 points to lead the 76ers to a 135-114 win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The result snapped a momentum swing the Pacers built in the first quarter and deepened Indiana's struggles in the post-All-Star Break stretch.
Maxey's 32 leads the 76ers Vs Pacers charge at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
All-Star point guard Tyrese Maxey posted 32 points, nine rebounds and eight assists while shooting 10 of 22 to lead the 76ers to the 135-114 win. Maxey scored seven of his 10 field goals in the paint, hit two 3-pointers on eight attempts and was perfect from the line, making 10 of 10 free throws. He also had two steals and committed two turnovers as he spearheaded the rally that erased Indiana's early advantage.
Pacers' 38-30 first-quarter lead quickly turns into Sixers rout
The Pacers built a 38-30 lead at the end of the first quarter, shooting 14 of 25 from the floor and 6 of 11 from 3-point range for 1. 35 points per possession. Rookie guard Kam Jones scored the Pacers' first eight points and Micah Potter also had eight first-quarter points, giving Indiana an encouraging start.
That edge vanished early in the second quarter when the Sixers opened on a 17-0 run to take a 47-40 lead, as the Pacers missed their first 10 field-goal attempts of the period. Philadelphia outscored Indiana 45-27 in the second quarter, making 16 of 21 field goals and posting 1. 51 points per possession to take a 75-65 halftime lead. The Pacers were 10 of 28 in the period and 2 of 13 from 3-point range for 0. 88 points per possession.
Potter and Jones provide bright spots for Indiana despite the loss
Center Micah Potter led the Pacers with 23 points, matching Andrew Nembhard as Indiana's top scorers on the night. Potter — the former Wisconsin star — scored a career-high 23 points on 9 of 11 shooting, including 3 of 5 from 3-point range. He also had three rebounds, two blocks and three assists, and finished with a team-best plus-minus number of -8 in his minutes.
Rookie guard Kam Jones came out hot and finished with 13 points after opening the game with the Pacers' first eight points. Guard Quenton Jackson added 15 points, and Andrew Nembhard chipped in 23 for Indiana.
Absences, matchups and a 25-game suspension shaped lineups and minutes
Indiana played without Tyrese Haliburton and Obi Toppin as usual, and the Pacers were also missing Pascal Siakam, Ivica Zubac and Aaron Nesmith. With Zubac out, and 280-pound Joel Embiid creating difficult matchups for the skinnier Jay Huff, Indiana leaned on Potter at the 5 for his added muscle.
The Sixers were not nearly as shorthanded, though former Pacers All-Star Paul George remains out on a 25-game suspension. Joel Embiid was back in the lineup but was described as still hobbled by knee problems; he scored 27 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out five assists in the game.
Standings and the post-All-Star Break slide for Indiana
The loss extended the Pacers' skid to four straight to start the post-All-Star Break period, dropping them to 15-44 and leaving them alone in last place in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers improved to 32-26 and sit in sixth place in the East after the 135-114 victory.
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