Summer League Postgame Report: Sixers @ Pacers - 7/6/2009

July 6, 2009: Sixers 67 Pacers 75

Box Score

Philly/New Jersey squad fall in overtime to Indiana

Sixers forward Marreese Speights stole the show in the opening game of the Orlando Pro Summer League, posting game-highs of 28 points and 11 rebounds, but the Philly/New Jersey split squad fell in overtime to Indiana, 75-67.

Speights scored 12 points in the first quarter, mixing in a couple post-ups and jumpers, helping the Sixers/Nets take a 20-17 lead entering the second quarter. Sixers rookie Jrue Holiday had 2 steals and a block in the first quarter, while teaming with New Jersey’s Chris Douglas-Roberts to hold the Pacers starting backcourt scoreless in the quarter.

The Sixers/Nets went cold in the second quarter, shooting just 27.3% (6-22 FGs) from the floor while committing 6 turnovers. Despite the offensive struggles, Philly/Jersey still led 52-51 at the break, with Speights leading the way with 20 points.

Philly/Jersey outshot Indy 46.7% to 37.5% from the floor in the third, but couldn’t gain any separation and still led by only one heading into the fourth. Tyler Hansbrough, the Pacers first round pick, scored 7 of his team-high 17 points off the bench in the quarter.

Both teams showed signs of weariness in the fourth, combined to shoot 33.3% from the floor with just 3 assists to 9 turnovers. Speights drove the lane for a layup to put Philly/Jersey ahead with 1:39 remaining, but Indiana’s Roy Hibbert tied it back up on the final basket in regulation with just under a minute left. Holiday inbounded the ball to Speights with 0.6 seconds left, but the shot didn’t fall, sending the game into overtime.

The Pacers scored on the first possession in overtime and never looked back. Philly/Jersey was outscored 10-2 in the extra session, with Holiday scoring his team’s only points.

In addition to his 28 points and 11 boards, Speights shot 6-of-6 from the line and blocked 2 shots. Holiday finished with 9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, a game-high tying 4 steals and 2 blocks. Temple’s Dionte Christmas scored 2 points on 1-of-3 shooting in 16 minutes of play. Terrence Williams, the 11th overall pick in the draft by New Jersey, finished with 2 points (1-8 FGs), 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks.

The Sixers/Nets will face off against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday at 5 p.m.