RECAP: Philadelphia 76ers 121, Indiana Pacers 110

The Philadelphia 76ers are above .500 for possibly the first time in my adult life, and oh baby does the city feel alive right now.

There are some games that are exciting because of how close they are, and the neck-and-neck feeling keeps you on the edge of your seat until nearly the final buzzer. There are other games that are exciting because of the moments in them, the crazy shots made and the passion on display.

This game was both. There was a double-digit amount of ties and lead changes, and the Indiana Pacers were in it right up until the final minute when they finally conceded. Yet you can also rest assured there were some crazy gif-worthy moments along the way.

The Pacers have been better than expected this season, beating teams such as the San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Minnesota Timberwolves, all without star big Myles Turner. Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis have looked good enough to lead some to believe that the Pacers may have actually won the Paul George trade.

But even with Turner returning, it was not enough to fell the Philadelphia 76ers, who’ve now won four straight. The score looks somewhat close, but Philadelphia had ten more rebounds, nine more assists, and shot 50 percent from deep. This was a game we deserved to win.

Richaun Holmes was the one who returned from injury for the Sixers tonight, but J.J. Redick was the one who came back. He scorched the nets all night, and they’re probably still dousing the flames in the Wells Fargo Center right now.

He was just unstoppable from deep, and this late-in-the-shot-clock desperation three just made me laugh with pure joy and chuckle “Oh my God.” Sorry Mom, I don’t mean to take the Lord’s name in vain, but please look at this shot and honestly tell me it doesn’t make you want to invoke the Most High.

I don’t want to overlook Holmes though, because he had sort of slipped off of my own radar given his extended absence before tonight. No one on the Sixers really attacks the rim the same way he does (except occasionally Embiid, who attempted at least two monstrous dunks within the span of a minute or so, and somehow missed both).

I don’t know if I’ve ever seen Richaun Holmes smile on the basketball court. He doesn’t seem to play with a love of the game, like Embiid does, or with the general poise of Simmons. He plays with the pathological need to Hulk smash the opponent.

Even after slamming the ball thoroughly through the net with two hands, Holmes’ face shows no joy. If anything, he looks more pained, as if he has failed. His face conveys both exasperation and rage.

His expression reads, “Yes, I have dunked the ball, and I have done so thunderously. But the net still hangs; my opponents still stand. Please give me the ball back, I NEED it NOW. Enemies remain, and my soul cannot rest until I’ve cracked the foundations of this arena and vanquished each and every foe with my slams.”

Or, you know, maybe he just thinks he got fouled and is kinda pissed about it. I don’t know. I like my interpretation of events more though. But I can at least say this with confidence: I’m glad he’s back.

In any event, revel in being a winning team, Philadelphia!

Next: Why 4-4 is a good record for the Sixers

Previous game recaps

• W, Philadelphia 97 – Detroit 86
• L, Houston 105 – Philadelphia 104
• W, Philadelphia 112 – Dallas 110
• W, Philadelphia 115 – Houston 107
• W, Atlanta 109 – Philadelphia 119