We were expecting yet another hit from Joel Embiid, and it's his compatriot, Pascal Siakam, who steals the show! After six straight victories, the Sixers lost 134-122 to the Pacers, and Siakam signed his first triple-double under his new colors. The first in 15 months.
In front of their home crowd, the Pacers will get off to a start worthy of the Indianapolis 500 with Andrew Nembhard launching a 6-0, then Buddy Hield planting a 3-pointer to lead 11-2. The Sixers are on the ropes, and Siakam goes to challenge Joel Embiid to give an eleven point lead after five minutes (19-8). Even if the 2023 MVP will do damage, Philadelphia will never really recover from this failed start.
Two missed halftime starts for the Sixers
Especially since Bennedict Mathurin will give them insoluble problems. At the start of the second quarter, the Canadian planted his team's first 10 points to give them a 14-point lead (44-30). In the maneuver, TJ McConnell distributes caviar after caviar, and the individual exploits of Tyrese Maxey and Embiid are not enough. At the break, Indiana leads by 12 points (73-61).
Returning from the locker room, the Pacers hit the accelerator again: a 10-0 to take a 22-point lead (83-61)! This time, the Sixers are KO and Siakam puts his new audience in the pocket with a big angry two-handed dunk (95-70). The Cameroonian is untenable by his bindings, and Myles Turner takes advantage of it. The gap will oscillate between 18 and 27 points, and Nick Nurse prefers to throw in the towel at the start of the 4th quarter.
The Philly coach sends Ricky Council, Terquavion Smith and the end of the bench to stretch their legs. Garbage time is long. very long even… And the Pacers finally won 134-122 without ever having trailed the match.
What you must remember
– Tyrese Haliburton given a standing ovation. Before the match, the announcer announced the selection of Tyrese Haliburton for the All-Star Game. Injured, the best passer in the NBA will honor his first start and his second selection in front of his audience on February 18.
– The series continues. Twenty-first game in a row with 30 points or more for Joel Embiid, who did not set foot on the floor during the 4th quarter. A series which should not make us forget the very average match on his part, more particularly in defense where we had rarely seen him so little concerned.
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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.
