The Indiana Pacers had the opportunity to extend their winning streak on Wednesday night to five by beating the 76ers on the road. Philadelphia was without their perennial MVP candidate Joel Embiid and the Pacers were on a hot streak. Seemed like a recipe for a win right?
For much of the game it looked as if the 76ers were going to run away with it as the Pacers struggled to keep up. However, in the fourth the Pacers cut the lead down and eventually took the lead to the point where they were up by four points with only seconds left.
snatched defeat out of the jaws of victory
— Caitlin Cooper (@C2_Cooper) January 5, 2023
Unfortunately, the Pacers had two untimely turnovers late in the game that allowed the 76ers to score four quickly and tie the game to send it to overtime. In overtime, James Harden was able to get to the line while Bennedict Mathurin was not, and the 76ers were able to come away with the tight win.
Should Pacers’ fans be encouraged or discouraged by the loss?
What is a bit discouraging is that the Pacers were not able to pull off the win even though the 76ers were without their best player. There is also the fact that the Pacers were able to lose a lead so quickly late in a game that seems to indicate they have yet to truly figure out how to finish games.
However, the 76ers were at home and Montrezl Harrell played at times like what felt like prime Shaq.
What I feel like Montrezl Harrell is doing to the #Pacers right now. We gotta find some strength or we are going to crumble to bully-ball all season. pic.twitter.com/gRsjgo0OUJ
— 8 Points, 9 Seconds (@8pts9secs) January 5, 2023
So fans can also be encouraged by a few things. This will ultimately be a learning experience for the younger players of how to keep intensity up from start to finish. There is no place nor time for lackadaisical passes or loss of concentration on an NBA basketball court. Hopefully that is a lesson they are able to take to heart.
Additionally, the Pacers should be encouraged that they were able to go into as tough of an environment as the Philadelphia 76ers home court and hold their own. At season’s beginning we would have all been extremely impressed by that fact, yet alone almost come out with the win.
The fact is that if the Pacers clean up a few small errors in judgement at the end, they walk away with an impressive win on the road.
Let’s keep it going.