GRADES: Philadelphia 76ers 119, Indiana Pacers 110
By Sam Coltrane
The Philadelphia 76ers visit the Indiana Pacers and steal a road win with a huge fourth quarter as the team wins their first game of the season without Joel Embiid.
The Philadelphia 76ers started Tony Bradley as Joel Embiid sat out with back tightness. The team jumped out to an early 8-0 lead on a Tobias Harris lay-in. Indiana immediately responded with a 14-2 run. The quarter closed with another 7-0 run led by Malcolm Brogdon and a buzzer beating mid-range jumper from none other than T.J. McConnell.
The second quarter was a back-and-forth sprint with the teams each scoring 35+ points. The quarter was mostly even until Indiana went on a 8-0 run in less than a minute leaving Philadelphia trailing 43-59. In the last 100 seconds, Simmons and Harris scored 10 points and closed the lead to 63-54, Indiana.
The game kept a similar trend in the third quarter as the teams traded baskets. Another small run from Indiana stretched their lead as they entered the fourth quarter up 85-72.
As the fourth quarter began, the game appeared as though Indiana would be able to just alternate baskets until Philadelphia ran out of time. An Aaron Holiday basket pushed Indiana’s lead to 104-88.
Doc Rivers made an adjustment and decided to go zone.
From there, it was all Philadelphia. Harris and Furkan Korkmaz poured in 15 points as part of a 21-2 run that stretched over six minutes. The run was capped off by a Korkmaz jumper giving Philadelphia a 109-106 lead.
Philadelphia would hold off Indiana and steal a win as they outscore Indiana by 22 in the quarter to finish by the final of 119-110.
A+. <strong>31 mins | 27 pts | 8 reb | 0 ast | 0 stl | 1 blk | 3 TO | 10-19 FG | 2-5 3PT| 5-5 FT | 4 PF | +10 |</strong><p>Harris poured in a much needed season-high. On a night where Embiid sat, Harris showed the development he has proven again. Every year, Harris has improved his game. Harris has looked more comfortable this season and has been incredibly consistent. It is great to see him be aggressive and handle the load when called upon. It was an excellent, lead-type showing.</p>. PF. Philadelphia 76ers. TOBIAS HARRIS
PG. Philadelphia 76ers. BEN SIMMONS. A-. <strong>35 mins | 21 pts | 7 reb | 7 ast | 4 stl | 2 blk | 3 TO | 9-12 FG | 0-0 3PT| 3-6 FT | 2 PF | +4 |</strong><p>Simmons is phenomenal. His defense is both incredible and then somehow seems underappreciated. He had six “stocks” while filling the box score on 75 percent shooting. He is a special player. He also didn’t score in the fourth quarter at all. It was both a great game and a game that leaves plenty to be desired. Simmons is proving a conundrum, but as long as the team is winning and Embiid covers some issues, then the chatter ought not be too loud.</p>
Philadelphia 76ers. FURKAN KORKMAZ. A-. <strong>23 mins | 17 pts | 3 reb | 2 ast | 0 stl | 0 blk | 1 TO | 6-12 FG | 3-5 3PT| 2-2 FT | 3 PF | +26 |</strong><p>Korkmaz proved vital as he scored 17 on only 12 shots, including a team-high +26. On a night where the starting guards struggled from three-point distance, Korkmaz provided the needed spacing.</p>. SG
A-. <strong>25 mins | 11 pts | 15 reb | 0 ast | 0 stl | 2 blk | 2 TO | 3-6 FG | 0-0 3PT| 5-12 FT | 3 PF | +23 |</strong><p>Howard came up huge on the glass as he grabbed 15 boards en route to a double-double. He chipped in two blocks as well while leading the second unit for several of its runs. This game was a firm reminder that Howard is more than capable of helping fill Embiid’s shoes and giving him some rest when needed.</p>. C. Philadelphia 76ers. DWIGHT HOWARD
C-. <strong>25 mins | 9 pts | 0 reb | 1 ast | 1 stl | 0 blk | 1 TO | 3-9 FG | 1-4 3PT| 2-2 FT | 0 PF | -13 |</strong><p>Curry and Green both struggled with their shot. The difference is often that Green provides more capable defense and is a better rebounding guard. Curry provides spacing, but that isn’t typically as felt without Embiid. There have been rumors floated about Philadelphia having interest in J.J. Redick. Philadelphia doesn’t need Redick. They need to have Curry flying around more.</p>. SG. Philadelphia 76ers. SETH CURRY
A great fourth quarter helped Philadelphia steal a road win without Embiid as they hand Indiana a second straight loss. Indiana won’t have to wait too long to get back on the court as they host the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Philadelphia will have time to rest as they won’t be back on the court till Wednesday when they travel to Charlotte.
Sixers early season grades 2020-21. dark. Next