The Sixer Sense
Fansided

As Celtics and Cavs falter, Philadelphia 76ers face Pacers in moment of truth

By Bret Stuter

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 03: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers tries to get to the basket while defended by Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers in the first half of a game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 3, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 100-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 03: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers tries to get to the basket while defended by Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers in the first half of a game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 3, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 100-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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As both the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers appear to stumble, the Philadelphia 76ers must face the red hot Indiana Pacers tonight. The outcome of tonight’s game plays significant role in playoff picture

As of today, the Philadelphia 76ers sit as the current NBA Eastern conference 6-seed. Right now, the conference leader red hot Toronto Raptors. But both the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers appear to be stumbing towards the playoffs. That has allowed the Indiana Pacers an opportunity to claim the 3-seed from Cleveland. And tonight, the Philadelphia 76ers face red hot Indiana.

On one hand, the faceoff between the Philadlephia 76ers and the Indiana Pacers is real. Every NBA fan recognizes it.  Even ESPN acknowledges the fact.

The Pacers are a playoff caliber team, and they are playing like it.

50 wins still possible

On the other hand, this game is the litmus test of how good can these Philadelphia 76ers be under pressure. Win tonight, and the 50 win season is a definite possibility.  Lose and even winning out the rest of the games is a hollow feeling. Some are calling this game the biggest game since the process began. Perhaps. Other games looming in the upcoming weeks are equally huge.

So far this season, the series has split evenly, with each team garnering the home court win. Tonight, that home court advantage belongs to Philadelphia. But the 76ers will need every advantage they can get. The Indiana Pacers are red hot, and have won their last three road games.  The coup de’ grace was their latest win in Boston Gardens, where they hung on to defeat the Celtics 99-97.

Bench bodes well for Philly

In the loss, the Philadelphia 76ers bench was outscored by their Pacers counterparts 41-24. In their victory, the benches were much closer with Indiana still getting the edge 27-21. Part of that difference was the exchange of Myles Turner from reserve to starting center, and getting Domantas Sabonis to score off the bench. Expect to see Turner start at center when they faceoff tonight.

But the 76ers bench has upgraded since the last two contests. With the addition of both Ersan Ilyasova (averaging just under 10 points/game) and Marco Belinelli (averaging 11.5 points a game), Philly’s bench should be able to keep up with the Pacers scoring.  The Sixers bench has averaged 36 points per contest in the last three games.

Big game for 76ers Bigger test of playoff readiness

The Philadelphia 76ers must approach this game like a playoff game. They have not had any post season experience under head coach Brett Brown, so this is the equivalent of a dress rehearsal. That means big minutes for big players. That means best defenders on Indiana’s best scorers. And that means getting the bench lineup set to ensure Joel Embiid is not getting hammered around tonight.

Next: How likely is home-court advantage for the Sixers?

These Philadelphia 76ers simply do not play many games of this amount of importance. Until now, the team could count on finding reason to laugh and enjoy the contest. But tonight, in nearly every sense of the word, it’s all business.  Indiana, much like the 76ers, are surprisingly successful this season. When the team traded Paul George for Victor Oladipo and Domanas Sabonis, many scoffed. Oladipo has upped his game to take over for George’s role, while Sabonis became that desperately needed big off the bench for the Pacers. Right now, the Philadelphia 76ers hope that Anzejcs Pasecniks grows into that role for the team next year.  And even closer to the moment, the Philadelphia 76ers must count on their starters, bank on their bench, and play their hearts out.  The fans will be charged tonight. It’s that special bond of team and fans which will give the 76ers the edge.