The Sixers overcame another slow start, as they started off the game missing 5 of their first 6 shots, committing 5 first quarter turnovers and struggling to keep the big Indiana front line off the offensive glass in the first half.
The team would clean up all but the turnover problem, which plagued them throughout the game. The Sixers, who game into the game with the lowest turnover rate in the league, would commit an uncharacteristically high 18 turnovers to only 19 assists for the game, low-lighted by Jrue Holiday's 7 turnovers to only 2 assists.
The Sixers used an 11-0 run late in the first to take an 11 point lead, then after the pesky Pacers, who were without Danny Granger and George Hill, cut the deficit to 4 the Sixers used a 10-0 run in the third to take control of the game. The Pacers would cut it to 6 points in the 4th quarter, but a balanced attack with buckets from Spencer Hawes, Thaddeus Young, Andre Iguodala and Jrue Holiday, along with stifling defense, would hold off the Pacers. For the game the Sixers would hold the Pacers to 36.6% from the field.
Some thoughts, as well as your player of the game, after the jump.
- Hansbrough and Foster came in and gave them some real energy on the offensive glass in the second quarter. Once the Sixers shored that part of their game up, the Pacers weren't able to do much in the half court.
- Jrue Holiday was really bad, despite Malik naming him the player of the game. 12 points on 12 shots with 7 turnovers and 2 assists.
- Thaddeus Young ignited both runs, particularly that 11-0 to end the first quarter and start the second. His energy was palpable, and that save late in the first to ignite the break key. With a 12 point (7 shots), 8 rebound, 2 assist, 2 steal, 1 block game, he'd be your player of the game, if not for...
- Andre Iguodala's 20 point, 9 rebound, 5 assist, 1 turnover stat line. And he helped hold Paul George to 13 points on 16 shots with 5 turnovers.
- Spencer Hawes (12 points, 8 rebounds) and Nikola Vucevic (11 points, 8 rebounds) gave the Sixers really good pivot play. I'm starting to have confidence in Vucevic, at least as a backup.
- At some point, Jodie Meeks has to start making open looks, right? His one made three was big, but he's producing virtually nothing with big minutes.
- Evan Turner's defensive rebounding is incredibly valuable with how much we go small.
- The Sixers score 96 points on 76 shots, and held the Pacers to 86 points on 82 shots. Turnovers and getting to the line kept the game close. The defense has truly been oustanding.