95
105
Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 8:00 PM EDT at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Game Rewind: IND 95, PHI 105
Scott Agness | April 17, 2013
Game Recap
The Pacers dug themselves a deep hole – they never led and trailed by as many as 26 – and were unable to recover. With 32 seconds remaining to play, they got to within six points but by then it was too late. The Philadelphia 76ers held off a late charge and wrapped up their season with a 105-95 victory.
The 76ers (34-48), whose season didn’t quite go as hoped, scored the first 11 points of the game. With nothing on the line, Frank Vogel rested starters George Hill, Paul George, David West and Roy Hibbert ahead of the playoffs this weekend. From the tip, the Pacers (49-32) seemed disinterested and their play reflected that. They missed their first six foul shots, had six turnovers after 12 minutes of play and trailed by nine. Jeff Pendergraph was the only Indiana player with more than one field goal, and he had just four points in six minutes.
From the sideline, Vogel pushed his players to pick it up, stop switching and to run the floor. Instead, the struggles continued as the 76ers extended their advantage to 23 by way of a 20-6 run in the middle of the second quarter. That marked the sixth consecutive game the Pacers had trailed by at least 20 points. The 76ers shot 59 percent from the floor in the half and were in control, 59-37.
Gerald Green, who had the hot hand for the Pacers, showed a positive burst that the Pacers could greatly benefit from in the playoffs. He led all scorers and hit 17 of his career-high 34 points (on 10-of-14 shooting) by the end of the third. Dorell Wright was feeling it as well and chalked up 13 in the period. The 76ers carried a 85-68 lead into the fourth quarter.
Led by the energetic Pendergraph, who had eight points in the final 12 minutes, the Pacers elevated their spirits in the fourth quarter. They outscored the 76ers 15-5 through the first half of the fourth to narrow the gap to seven. Philly answered with a six-point swing. Dorell Wright knocked down a 3-pointer followed by an old-fashioned three-point play from Damien Wilkins. The Pacers made another late push but came up empty on three straight possessions, essentially putting the game away.
It was a meaningless game for both teams in regards to their seasons. Indiana’s bench, however, did have something to play for – playing time in the upcoming playoffs. Vogel isn’t set on his rotations and said that only his starters are set in stone.
Green admitted his career-high 34 points was an afterthought. Pendergraph continues to be a spark off the bench and a big that can knock down an open jumper.
The Pacers came up just one win shy of 50, a feat that’s only been accomplished five times before in franchise history. They will now turn the page – and their attention – to the playoffs. They’ll square off against the Atlanta Hawks in the opening round, beginning on Sunday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Inside the Numbers
All 10 Indiana players that played scored. Lance Stephenson finished with 12 points and six assists. Mr. Energy, Jeff Pendergraph contributed 12 points and six rebounds in 28 minutes. Ben Hansbrough had 11 – the first time he scored in double figures in the 28 games he played in this season.
With 10 points and nine rebounds tonight, Tyler Hansbrough has averaged 14.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in his eight starts this season.
Dorell Wright led the way for Philadelphia with 23 points on 8-of-15 shooting. Evan Turner had 16. Arnett Moultrie recorded his first career double-double – 14 points and a career-high 12 rebounds.
The 76ers shot 51 percent from the floor, including 8-of-19 (42 percent) from downtown.
Quoteworthy
“Yeah, possibly. It definitely helps the cause. We’ll look at everything, we’ll meet about it as a staff and make decisions on the playoff rotation.” – Frank Vogel on Green’s night possibly carrying on into the playoffs
“I’m fired up. I think this team has a great deal of potential to make some serious noise in the playoffs.” – Frank Vogel
“I was just trying to be aggressive. I just wanted to come into the game with the mindset of being aggressive, trying to make the right plays, though I wish could take some plays back, but I just tried to be in attack mode today…Hopefully my shooting rhythm goes into the playoffs.” – Gerald Green
“I think we got off to a really slow start and we didn’t have the energy to dig ourselves out of the hole. Obviously Gerald got in the zone and I think Ben [Hansbrough] gave us a little plug. In the end, it just wasn’t enough for us to come back.” – Tyler Hansbrough
Stat of the Game
The Pacers attempted 13 more free-throws than the 76ers but connected on just 17-of-27 tries (63 percent).
Noteworthy
- The Pacers split the season series; the 76ers won the final two meetings.
- Indiana wrapped up the season 30-11 in front of the home crowd. Tonight’s game was their 10th sellout of the season.
- It was Fan Appreciation Night at the Fieldhouse. Players signed autographs and gave away jerseys, shoes and others items following the game.
Up Next
The Pacers will open the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday at the Fieldhouse. The two teams haven’t met in the playoffs since 1996. Indiana was successful in the last two (of four) meetings this season.
