After a short break in the calendar caused by the “NBA Cup”, the game resumed in Pennsylvania, with a nice duel between the Sixers and the Pacers. The opportunity for Tyrese Haliburton (32 points, 11 assists) to sign one of his best games of the season, in order to guide Indiana towards a welcome and controlled success on the move (121-107).
Well supported by Pascal Siakam (23 points, 8 rebounds) and Obi Toppin (20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 interceptions), the leader quickly helped put out of harm's way Philadelphiawhere alone Tyrese Maxey (22 points) survived after the injury exit of… Joel Embiid.
Tyrese Haliburton in a big night
The first half is to the advantage of the Pacers (61-50). It must be said that Tyrese Haliburton is already having a great night in terms of skill, particularly at 3-points, and to surround him, Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin contribute positively. Opposite, the Sixers can count on their tandem Joel Embiid – Tyrese Maxey, as well as good sequences from their replacements, but they take less care of the ball and their collective is not as in place. Hence this gap, of around ten points, which logically arises at the break.
But the bad news of the evening in Philadelphia is the (new) injury to Joel Embiid, hit in the face after an involuntary hit from Bennedict Mathurin while trying to recover a rebound…
Without their superstarthe Philly players inevitably blamed – no pun intended… – the blow and, still punished by the dazzling attacks of Indiana on the counter-attack, they did not manage to come back to the score. However, it is not for lack of trying with Tyrese Maxey but, even threatened with two possessions, the Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and other Obi Toppin do not tremble and succeed in the necessary actions near the circle, to regain momentum. 'air and finally kill this match (121-107).
TO REMEMBER
– A benchmark match for Indiana (and Tyrese Haliburton) ? Not attractive for two months, the Pacers seem to have had their five “off” days well, as they probably had their best outing of the season. At least, that's a certainty on the outside when we know their difficulties when traveling. Except that, when their leader “Hali” is also inspired (and skillful), it changes everything for Rick Carlisle’s men in attack. Able to run, share the ball and punish from 3-point range, while resisting in the paint and limiting ball losses, they must now reproduce this kind of performance over time…
– Joel Embiid's injury. A few seconds from the end of the first period, the 2023 MVP collapsed in a rebound struggle with Bennedict Mathurin, who involuntarily hit him in the face. Quickly surrounded by the Sixers medical staff, the pivot did not return to the game all evening and we learned that he suffered from a broken nose. To make matters worse, Jared McCain, who replaced him in the five after the break, also injured his head, hitting the back of his head on the ground on a penetration. Except that the favorite at ROY 2025 played again afterwards.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
