Two of the top four teams went at it at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Thursday night, and the Philadelphia 76ers continue to prove that they are a better team by adding Jimmy Butler. On this night, it was Joel Embiid who led the way, as the big man had 22 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists in the Sixers' 120-96 rout of Indiana on the road. The win for the 76ers snaps the Pacers' four-game home win streak, as they take over the third seed in the Eastern Conference standings. Philadelphia has now won seven of their past nine games, as they shot 53 percent from the floor with 38 assists, which is the most by a Pacers opponent so far this season.
Jimmy Butler had 27 points and eight assists for the Sixers, who continue to share the ball as a team, including a 40-assist night their last time out. They ranked third in the NBA in assist rate, while leading all teams with 17 games of at least 30 assists. Thursday night was led by Ben Simmons' eight assists, J.J. Redick's five, and T.J. McConnell's five.
The Sixers are now 2-1 in the four-game season series with the Pacers, with the road team winning all three games thus far. Redick had 20 points, including six three-pointers for the Sixers, while helping on defense to hold the Pacers' backcourt of Victor Oladipo and Darren Collison to a combined 21 points on 9-of-30 shooting. Philadelphia used an 8-0 run late in the first half to lead by six at the half, and they never trailed in the second half of play. Indiana shot 40 percent from the floor and was led by former Sixer Thaddeus Young's 27 points and six rebounds, while Oladipo had 15 points and seven assists.
The 76ers will return home on Saturday afternoon for a national t.v. showdown with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Meanwhile, the Pacers will stay home to battle the Dallas Mavericks later that same night.
Jimmy Butler had 27 points and eight assists for the Sixers, who continue to share the ball as a team, including a 40-assist night their last time out. They ranked third in the NBA in assist rate, while leading all teams with 17 games of at least 30 assists. Thursday night was led by Ben Simmons' eight assists, J.J. Redick's five, and T.J. McConnell's five.
The Sixers are now 2-1 in the four-game season series with the Pacers, with the road team winning all three games thus far. Redick had 20 points, including six three-pointers for the Sixers, while helping on defense to hold the Pacers' backcourt of Victor Oladipo and Darren Collison to a combined 21 points on 9-of-30 shooting. Philadelphia used an 8-0 run late in the first half to lead by six at the half, and they never trailed in the second half of play. Indiana shot 40 percent from the floor and was led by former Sixer Thaddeus Young's 27 points and six rebounds, while Oladipo had 15 points and seven assists.
The 76ers will return home on Saturday afternoon for a national t.v. showdown with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Meanwhile, the Pacers will stay home to battle the Dallas Mavericks later that same night.
