Sixers squander late lead but rally to beat Pacers 129-126 in OT

PHILADELPHIA. PA - There are Basketball teams and then there are athletic Basketball teams, and tonight the Sixers found themselves facing off with one of the youngest and most athletic teams in the NBA. Despite the age discrepancies, pacing discrepancies, and officiating discrepancies, the Sixers found a way to pull one out versus the Pacers in South Philadelphia.

The news broke shortly before the game that the Sixers would be without All-Star Center Joel Embiid who was dealing with Left Foot Soreness. However, The update probably couldn’t have came at a more convenient time (not there is ever a convenient time to lose your top player and NBA scoring leader) as Tyrese Maxey made his return to the starting lineup. The young Maxey has flourished during times when his presence is needed in the absence of the star center. The good trends certainly continued for Maxey as he dropped a crisp 17 points, the most since his return from injury.

Pace and speed proved to be the name of the game tonight, while the Pacers got out to an early lead by simply out hustling a much older Sixers squad, Philly was able to begin withering away at the inferior Indiana club by the end of the 2nd quarter narrowing the deficit to only one. As the second quarter rolled on the Sixers would begin to pull away as James Harden and Tobias Harris took turns slashing into the Pacers defense. But as the game progressed into the second half James Harden and company began to make some leeway, though seemingly taking their foot off the pedal towards the middle of the 4th quarter. That being when this young-hungry Pacers squad chose to strike, ripping off 8 unanswered whilst going on a 12-2 run to make it a 120-116 Pacers ballgame. But consecutive steals from Tyrese Maxey and James Harden, both ending in bigtime buckets, would tie it all up at 120 and send the game to overtime.

Despite starting the extra frame by giving up two consecutive baskets and turning the ball over multiple times, the Sixers would climb back into the game in the waning minutes behind the efforts of Montrezl Harrell of all people. Harrell, who recorded 4 blocks in the win, would force multiple Indiana turnovers and deny 2 huge shots that would have tied the game up, capping it all off with a exclamation point putback jam to put the Sixers up 127-124 with only 1:34 remaining. Finally a James Harden steal would all but seal it for the Sixers as Andrew Nembhard fouled Tobias Harris who would make it a three point game with only four seconds remaining.

It is games like these that can really help to define a team looking for something to grasp on to, and without the contributions of Joel Embiid the Sixers pulled off a great team win over a strong-willed Indiana squad. Speaking of Embiid, the Sixers are hopeful that the star center will be available for Friday’s matchup with the Chicago Bulls, however coach Doc Rivers could offer no update on Joel’s status for the game. As you heard the Sixers next showdown is Friday night back at The Center with DeMar Derozen and the Chicago Bulls for a 7:00 tip.