Monday, March 17, 2014 at 7:00 PM ET at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Game Preview: Pacers vs 76ers
Scott Agness | March 15, 2014
Matchup
Just two days removed from their previous meeting, the Pacers take on the Philadelphia 76ers Monday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. It will be the Pacers’ third game in just four days.
After three straight home games, the 76ers make a quick trip to Indy before returning home for another pair of games. As of Saturday, they had lost 19 consecutive games. Their last win was nearly two months ago, on Jan. 31. That win came before the 76ers made a handful of trade-deadline deals, which includes shipping Evan Turner and Lavoy Allen to Indiana for the rights to Danny Granger, who they bought out.
After being traded so late into the season, Turner and Allen have to be quick learners. They’ve been on the Pacers’ active roster for 11 games now. Turner’s still adapting to both coming off the bench and leading the second unit with Lance Stephenson. It’s admittedly been a challenge, but they’ve needed him even more than expected because they’ve been undermanned at point guard at times.
Playoff Picture: See Where the Pacers Stand »
C.J. Watson missed Saturday’s game with a right hamstring strained sustained in Philly the night before. The good news Monday is Donald Sloan is expected to return, after being away from the team over the weekend for personal reasons.
When facing the 76ers, the Pacers' primary focus is on slowing down rookie Michael Carter-Williams and containing Thaddeus Young. George Hill limited Carter-Williams to just three points in the second half of Friday’s win, and Young needed more than a couple dozen shots to get his. Young’s averaging 20.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game over the last 10 games.
Turnovers have been an ongoing problem for the Pacers this season but fortunately it didn’t keep them from tacking on a win last go-round. Twenty-two mistakes are far too many and the coaching staff has harped on it plenty of times. It’s all in the players' hands at this point.
Probable Starters
George Hill
Lance Stephenson
Paul George
David West
Roy Hibbert
Michael Carter-Williams
James Anderson
Thaddeus Young
Hollis Thompson
Henry Sims
Injury Update
Pacers: C.J. Watson (day-to-day, right hamstring strain/sprained right elbow), Ian Mahinmi (day-to-day, bruised left rib)
76ers: Nerlens Noel (out, left knee injury)
Noteworthy
- Indiana has won both meetings with Philadelphia this season.
- Andrew Bynum was on the 76ers’ roster all of last season but never played in a game due to injury.
- Pacers forward Chris Copeland turns 30 on Monday.
Last Meeting
March 14: Indiana came away with a win Friday night in Philadelphia, 101-94. They were on top the entire contest but were challenged late as the 76ers kept fighting. It was the Pacers’ best shooting night of the season, making 58.2 percent of their attempts, but they turned it over 22 times — leading to 20 points for the home team. George Hill, who finished with 14 points and nine assists in over 39 minutes, hit a key 3-pointer in the corner with less than two minutes to play to lock up the win. A David West block, one of 12 for the Pacers on the night, set up Hill’s shot beyond the arc.
Paul George had 25 points and Lance Stephenson quietly contributed 13 points and 12 rebounds. Former 76er Lavoy Allen hit all six of his shots for 13 points in his first game back in Philly. Thaddeus Young scored 25 points for Philadelphia, but it took him 31 attempts to get there.
Broadcast Information | Find Local Listings »
TV: FOX Sports Indiana – Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Brooke Olzendam (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: FM 107.5/AM 1070 The Fan, Pacers Radio Network – Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Slick Leonard (analyst), Kevin Lee (sideline reporter/host)
Ticket Information
Good seats still remain for Monday's game against the 76ers. Find Tickets »
