Game Rewind: Pacers 106, 76ers 95

Amid the chaos and uncertainties that went along with Wednesday’s trade deadline, the Pacers emerged at 3:01 PM with the same roster they had before, electing to stand pat for the remainder of the season. Philadelphia, on the other hand, wheeled-and-dealed two of their most productive players, Michael Carter-Williams and K.J. McDaniels, for future assets.

But unfortunately for the 76ers, the future was now, as the Pacers (22-33) steamrolled Philly 106-95 in the first game back in action for both teams since the All-Star break and trade deadline.

"It’s a new group so it’s going to take a little bit to start gelling together with the additions," 76ers forward Nerlens Noel said. "I think it’s just going to take a little time."

The 76ers (12-42) looked the part of a team stripped of its starting point guard, committing 17 turnovers and shooting 41 percent from the field. Indiana on the flip side, looked like a team pleased to still be intact, passing out 24 assists, shooting 48 percent from the field, and swiping a season-high 13 steals.

When the game started off at Wells Fargo Center, the rust was visible on both teams, with the Pacers making just two of their first 13 shots. But they received a huge boost in the first half from C.J. Miles (14 first-quarter points) and Rodney Stuckey, who had a game-high—and season-high—30 points. Unfortunately, Stuckey suffered a left ankle injury late in the fourth quarter which forced him to exit the game.

Once the Pacers grabbed the lead early in the first quarter, they held on throughout the night for the comfortable victory over the adjusting 76ers, holding the lead around 20 points for nearly the entire second half.

If the 76ers were looking for silver linings from the loss, they need not look further than the berserker performance from Noel, who flirted with a triple-double and franchise history with nine blocks, nine rebounds, and 12 points.

For Indiana’s starters, C.J. Miles led the way with 17 points, and forwards David West and Roy Hibbert were a symmetrical 4-of-7 with seven boards and eight points. But in Philadelphia, it was the bench that clinched the win, combining for 61 points.

"That's what broke the game open," said Pacers coach Frank Vogel of his second unit's performance.

The Pacers are now 5-1 in the month of February, and find themselves in the thick of things as they hunt for one of the final remaining Eastern Conference playoff spots.

"We're still in the playoff hunt and our mindset is still to make the playoffs," Stuckey said. "That's what we're focused on. We've been doing a good job of playing with each other and just playing good basketball. We just have to continue to do that."

The win gave the Pacers a season-high, four-game road winning streak.

Nerlens Noel’s nine blocked shots was the most any opponent has had against the Pacers this season. The previous high was five (Timofey Mozgov, Nerlens Noel, Tim Duncan).

Rodney Stuckey’s 30 points were just one shy of the team’s season-high of 31, set by Donald Sloan on November 5.

The Pacers have now won five of their last six contests.

Indiana’s 35 points in the second quarter was the most they’ve scored in the second all season.

"The game really changed when our second unit came in, picked up the defensive pressure and started forcing turnovers. I liked our defensive hands which enabled us to get out on the break. 13 steals for the game might be our high this season and that was because of our defensive pressure. That's what broke the game open." -Pacers coach Frank Vogel

"When I was in Detroit I did it as well so I'm comfortable with any position that I'm in. I just thought I could be more aggressive coming off the bench because we have a lot of scorers in the first unit with David West, George Hill and Big Roy [Hibbert]. So I just thought I'd come off the bench and try to give that second unit some energy." -Pacers guard Rodney Stuckey

Indiana now sits just 1.5 games back from the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, and has a 7-3 record in its last ten games, best of any team in the conference not currently holding a playoff spot.

The Pacers return home to Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Sunday at 6 PM to face the Golden State Warriors, owners of a league-best 42-9 record.