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 But the Indiana Pacers are an extremely deep team and that trend
was evident in their 101-94 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers
Friday night at the Wells Fargo Center.
Guard-forward Paul George, one of the rising superstars in the NBA,
put on quite a show with 13 points in the third quarter on his way
to 25.
"It's late in the year and wins don't come easy, especially against
teams like this," George said. "We played great defense. They just
came out and made shots."
Forward David West scored 18 points, guard George Hill contributed
14 and guard Lance Stephenson had 13 points and 12 rebounds for the
Pacers, who improved to 48-17 and won their second straight
following a stunning four-game losing streak. The Pacers have the
best record in the Eastern Conference.
Turner, the No. 2 overall pick by the Sixers in the 2010 draft,
scored two points and forward-center Lavoy Allen had 13 on 6-for-6
shooting. Indiana acquired Turner and Allen just before the trade
deadline expired for forward Danny Granger and a second-round draft
pick. Granger and the Sixers agreed to a buyout and he went on to
sign with the Los Angeles Clippers.
"I didn't feel any extra pressure or anything like that," said
Turner, who added four rebounds and four assists. "I'm just out
there playing hard for my new team and enjoying the team success."
Allen was a pleasant surprise and gave the Pacers quite a lift off
the bench.
"He was great," Pacers coach Frank Vogel said of Allen. "I think we
said all along we traded for Evan Turner and Lavoy Allen. He's a
quality big and showed it tonight."
The Sixers were led by forward Thaddeus Young's 25 points and 10
assists. Center Byron Mullens scored 15 points and guard Michael
Carter-Williams added 12 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
Guard James Anderson chipped in with 11 points.
"I think we played great team basketball," Carter-Williams said. "We
made all the right plays defensively. We dug in. We just came up
short."
Philadelphia trailed by as many as 17 but hung around in the fourth.
After the Sixers got within 83-75, the Pacers scored consecutive
baskets to quickly increase their lead to 12.
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But the Sixers refused to wilt, closing the gap to three at 93-90 on
a jumper by Young.
As great teams do, the Pacers responded.
George knocked down a difficult driving layup and Hill added a
3-pointer right in front of Indiana's bench. It was enough to help
seal the victory.
"Give them (Sixers) credit because they kept battling," George said.
When it was over, the Sixers fell to 15-50, dropped their 19th
straight game and their 15th in a row at home.
"We need every break we can get, especially against a team like
that," Sixers coach Brett Brown said.
The Sixers are one loss away from tying the franchise mark of 20,
set during the 1972-73 season when they finished 9-73. Their 15
straight home losses is a continuing franchise record.
NOTES: Pacers C Andrew Bynum was inactive after making his debut
Tuesday with eight points and 10 rebounds in an 11-point victory
over the Celtics. Bynum is resting his achy knees, according to
coach Frank Vogel. Bynum was acquired by the Sixers before last
season but never suited up in one game. He signed with the Cavaliers
and was released, making him available to join the Pacers. "A little
bit of being smart," Bynum said. "It's more about the playoffs at
this point." ... The Sixers signed G Darius Johnson-Odom to a 10-day
contract from the NBA Development League. The Sixers waived G
Lorenzo Brown to make room for Johnson-Odom. ... Pacers C Ian
Mahinmi (bruised left rib) was available yet was held out for
precautionary reasons. ... Sixers G James Anderson is their only
player to appear in all 65 games this season. ... Pacers G C.J.
Watson played eight minutes but left with a strained right
hamstring. ... Sixers F Thaddeus Young was 10-for-31 from the field.
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