Pacers start fast, hold off 76ers
Indiana edges Philadelphia in possible Eastern Conference playoff preview
PHILADELPHIA » Myles Turner scored 25 points, including two clutch free throws with 21.5 seconds remaining, and the Indiana Pacers beat the Philadelphia 76ers 101-98 on Tuesday night in a possible Eastern Conference playoff preview.
Thaddeus Young added 19 points and 10 rebounds for the surprising Pacers (40-28), who overcame an off shooting night by leading scorer Victor Oladipo to win their third straight and improve to a season-high 12 games over .500. They were coming off a 99-97 victory at Boston on Sunday night.
Joel Embiid had 29 points and 12 rebounds and Ben Simmons finished with 10 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for the 76ers (36-30), who had won 13 straight home games.
The Pacers and upstart 76ers could meet in the first round of the playoffs — and the game had some intensity reminiscent of a postseason matchup. Indiana entered third in the Eastern Con-
“They’re a playoff team. We’re a playoff team. That was a playoff basketball game tonight.”
– Philadelphia 76ers guard TJ McConnell.
ference, two games in front of sixth-place Philadelphia. The 76ers are aiming for their first postseason berth since 2012.
“They’re a playoff team. We’re a playoff team.” said 76ers guard TJ McConnell. “That was a playoff basketball game tonight.”
The Pacers looked ready to close it out when they had the ball with a threepoint lead in the final seconds, but Oladipo committed an offensive foul in Indiana’s backcourt to give Philadelphia the ball. Embiid then had a tying 3-point attempt go just off the front of the rim.
Oladipo, who was averaging 23.8 points coming into the night, finished with 11 points on 4-for-21 shooting, including a 1 for 4 showing from 3-point range in the game.