Indiana Struggles Defensively, Philly Looks to Continue Winning Streak
Pacers vs. 76ers: Indiana Struggles Defensively as Philadelphia Seeks Momentum
The Indiana Pacers (10-15) will travel to the Philadelphia 76ers (7-15) on Friday night, December 12, for an intriguing Eastern Conference showdown at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The 76ers, who have recently turned their season around, are 5.5-point favorites as they look to extend their strong play. The total points over/under is set at 225 for this matchup, which promises plenty of scoring.
Philadelphia defeated the Chicago Bulls 108-100 in their last outing, while Indiana is coming off a 113-109 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. The Pacers and Sixers already faced off earlier this season, with Philadelphia winning a thrilling 118-114 overtime contest on October 27.
Pacers’ Defensive Struggles Continue to Hamper Their Playoff Hopes
The Indiana Pacers have found themselves in a tough spot, losing five of their last six games, including their most recent defeat to the Charlotte Hornets. Despite shooting an impressive 51% from the field, Indiana was held to just 33% from beyond the arc. The Hornets also shot 51% overall but had the edge from deep, hitting 14 of 29 three-pointers (48.3%). Additionally, Charlotte dominated the boards, 45-29, and although they committed 25 turnovers, the Pacers could not capitalize on those opportunities.
Indiana ranks 13th in offensive rating, scoring efficiently thanks to their top-tier shooting. The team is 8th in effective field goal percentage (eFG%), and they thrive near the rim, ranking 7th in rim field goal percentage. They also shoot 37.3% from three-point range, which is good for 11th in the league. Key contributors like Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, and Myles Turner all average over 15 points per game. Despite these offensive strengths, the Pacers’ defense remains their biggest Achilles’ heel.
Defensively, Indiana has major gaps to address. They rank 24th in defensive rating, allowing opponents to shoot at a high rate. The Pacers are 27th in opponent effective field goal percentage and 20th in rim defense. Additionally, they struggle to defend the three-point line, ranking 21st in three-point defense, and their mid-range defense is similarly porous (27th). Indiana also has one of the highest free-throw rates allowed in the NBA, ranking 27th in free throw attempts per game.
If the Pacers hope to turn their season around, they must improve on the defensive end, especially against a potent team like the 76ers.
Philadelphia 76ers: Can They Keep Their Momentum Going?
The Philadelphia 76ers are coming off a 108-100 victory over the Chicago Bulls, their fourth win in their last five games, signaling a potential turning point after a difficult start to the season. In that win, Philadelphia held the Bulls to just 40% shooting and dominated the boards with a 56-35 rebound advantage. They also excelled in the paint, outscoring Chicago 54-30 in the key. Joel Embiid, who has been dealing with injury issues earlier in the season, was back to his dominant form, contributing heavily to both ends of the floor.
Philadelphia’s offensive struggles continue to limit their potential. They rank 24th in offensive efficiency and are near the bottom in both effective field goal percentage (26th) and rim field goal percentage (24th). However, the return of Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George to the lineup has injected new life into the team. Despite these issues, the 76ers have found ways to win games, often relying on their defense and ability to force turnovers.
Defensively, the 76ers are performing better than their offense. They rank 11th in defensive rating and are particularly effective at defending the three-point line, where they are 10th in opponent three-point shooting. Additionally, Philadelphia’s defense excels at forcing turnovers, ranking 2nd in the NBA with 17.5 forced turnovers per game. However, their defense in the paint has been less reliable, ranking 25th in opponent rim field goal percentage, which could pose problems against a team like Indiana that thrives near the basket.
Philadelphia’s defense has been a stabilizing factor, and they’ll need another strong performance from Embiid and the defense to overcome the Pacers’ potent offense and secure a win.
Conclusion
Despite their recent improvement, the Philadelphia 76ers face a challenging matchup in the Indiana Pacers, a team that has consistently outscored opponents but struggles defensively. The Pacers’ inability to defend the rim and the three-point line could be exposed by Philadelphia’s offensive weapons, especially with Embiid in the paint.
On the other hand, the Pacers’ offense, led by Haliburton, Mathurin, and Turner, could keep them competitive. However, if they can’t shore up their defensive issues, it may be a tough night in Philadelphia.
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