The Pacers captured their 40th win of the season Saturday evening in Philadelphia, getting a game-high 25 points from C.J. Miles off the bench. Down by three entering the fourth period at the Wells Fargo Center, the Pacers ran off 41 points, the most of any quarter this season, over the final 12 minutes to pick up a much needed win, 115-102.
Whew! Crisis averted.
This was a victory the Pacers (40-36) had to have — at least if they wanted to keep their goal of making the playoffs alive.
Entering the game, they had lost three of four and the vibe of the team was down. Coach Frank Vogel hinted after Thursday’s loss to Orlando that lineup changes were likely.
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Lavoy Allen, coming off a double-double performance, started at power forward in place of rookie Myles Turner, who was inserted into the startling lineup on Jan. 28. Because the nine-win 76ers (9-68) don’t have quality size available, they attempt nearly 27 3-pointers per game. The Pacers have other guys that can manage through that more effectively, and so Allen’s contributions were limited — two points and a rebound — in less than 13 minutes.
Indiana had its way inside, outscoring Philadelphia 52-24.
C.J. Miles scores a game-high 25 points.
What was interesting and fun to watch was the play of the second unit. They were running at any moment possible and their passing was a real threat, led by reserve point guard Ty Lawson (five assists to one turnover).
“I like what we’re trying to do with that group,” Vogel said after the win. “It’s a faster group that can get up and down. Myles (Turner) showed his rim protection with a key block, and Solo brings his energy. We’ve missed that when he’s not been in there.”
That group used a 14-2 spurt spanning the final minute of the first quarter and the start of the second. After giving up 28 in the first quarter, they kept the 76ers to 21 in the second and went into the locker room up by 12, 61-49.
Coach Vogel stressed to his guys how the 76ers play teams tight and typically don’t get blown out. The home team made things interesting by closing the third quarter on a 24-3 run to move in front by three points. (The Pacers are now 7-27 in games when they’ve trailed after three.)
The Pacers shot 78 percent (14-of-18), getting 11 from Miles and seven of Rodney Stuckey’s 17 points, in their best quarter of the season which was critical to the win.
Guys off the bench contributed 61 points, one point shy of their season-high, while keeping the 76ers’ to 18.
Paul George finished with 20 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, and Ian Mahinmi (9 & 12) nearly posted a double-double.
No style points were earned but it was important that the Pacers win this one. There’s no tip-toeing around that. Lose, and I can only imagine how the final two weeks would go.
Meanwhile, Detroit (41-36) won at Chicago (38-38) to remain in seventh, a half game ahead Indiana. The Bulls dropped two games out of the 8-spot.
The Pacers have six games left, three at home. Next up, the Pacers will wear their Hickory uniforms at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks Sunday night (7:30 p.m.).