Here are my running thoughts from the Pacers’ 100-92 win over the Philadelphia 76ers Saturday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
- Both teams played last night. The Pacers lost in Charlotte, yielding a franchise-worst 49 points in the first quarter, and the 76ers won at home over the Miami Heat.
- This was the Pacers’ final regular-season home game on a Saturday night of the season. Pretty crazy how quickly the season has gone…
- The Pacers debuted their new City threads, which are gorgeous and pay tribute to Indy’s racing heritage.
- Joel Embidd played Saturday, the first time he’s played in back-to-back games over his three-year NBA career.
- Coach McMillan turning to Al Jefferson in the first court, both due to the 76ers’ talented bigs and Turner picking up two fouls in three minutes. Big Al played one minute over the last three games.
- Pacers shot 57 percent in the first half and led by five, but Philly’s three-man starting frontcourt had 12 points each.
- Lance changed shoes at halftime – going from some white + black Jordans to a gray pair.
- Stephenson changed the game in the fourth quarter, providing a lightning bolt of energy and getting his teammates involved. He was accountable for their first 15 points of the fourth quarter until the 4:49 mark when Victor Oladipo sank two free throws.
- Here’s what that consisted of: jumper, assist to Jefferson for a dunk, 3-point shot, dunk, assist on a Darren Collison jumper, assist on a Thad Young lay in, two free throws.
- In a battle of two tired teams, the Pacers held on — feeding off Stephenson and the home crowd. They beat the 76ers for the eighth consecutive time in Indy for their 30th win of the season. It was win No. 19 at home.
- As for Lance, he finished with 14 points, nine rebounds, and four assists in 23 minutes.
- Nate McMillan returned after his two days away from the team for personal reasons. After the game: “It’s a young team and it’s kind of the dog days of the NBA, right before (All-Star) break. Our guys are battling fatigue, physical fatigue as well as mental and you have to fight through that.
- The 76ers faded, shooting just 32 percent in the second half and 37.9 percent for the game. They went 1 of 14 from beyond the arc over the final two quarters. Tired legs.
- Bojan Bogdanovic hit four 3s and had 19 points in 26 minutes. Despite missing all five 3-point attempts, Oladipo finished with 19 points and nine rebounds.
- Up next: The Pacers (30-24) will take Sunday off and won’t shoot around on Monday before hosting the Washington Wizards, who have a one game lead in the standings.
- Of note, Glenn Robinson III played in his second game in eight months Saturday night, up in Fort Wayne with the Mad Ants. He had 10 points, five rebounds, and two assists playing 33 minutes.
Lance doing Lance like things!#Pacers
Watch Now on #NBALeaguePass: https://t.co/2pt5MyD8rh pic.twitter.com/sBcYDIJ5Sw
— NBA (@NBA) February 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/World_Wide_Wob/status/959971269809713153
Thad Young was their first-round pick (12th) in 2007 and spent his first seven seasons in Philly.
So postgame, he joined the 76ers Radio Network. pic.twitter.com/M2KGwE1Vuv
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) February 4, 2018
As Lance answers a question about whether he likes creating chaos on the court, coach McMillan observed behind media. Also, he was surprised with how little the 76ers young guys talked… pic.twitter.com/Rxq1tYYdKK
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) February 4, 2018