3 observations after Sixers’ skid reaches 5 games with loss to Pacers

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3 observations after Sixers’ skid reaches 5 games with loss to Pacers originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers dropped their fifth consecutive game and dipped to 10 games under .500 on Saturday night in Indiana.

With a 115-102 loss to the Pacers, the Sixers now sit at 15-25. They’ll reach the season’s halfway point Sunday when they visit the Bucks.

Pascal Siakam posted 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the 24-19 Pacers. Myles Turner had 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Tyrese Maxey was the Sixers’ leading scorer with 28 points. Kelly Oubre Jr. and Ricky Council IV each added 18.

The Sixers’ injury list remained lengthy and included Guerschon Yabusele, who sat out his first game of the season because of right knee swelling. In addition to Yabusele, the following Sixers missed Saturday’s game:

Joel Embiid (left knee injury management)

Paul George (left groin tightness)

Kyle Lowry (right hip sprain)

Caleb Martin (right hip sprain)

KJ Martin (left foot stress reaction)

Jared McCain (left lateral meniscus surgery)

Here are observations on the Sixers’ loss to Indiana:

Drummond back in action

Andre Drummond returned after six games out with a left toe injury. He started alongside Maxey, Eric Gordon, Oubre and Council.

For the first time in a while, the Sixers’ strong start prompted the opponent to call an early timeout. The Pacers committed a couple of sloppy turnovers, Oubre and Gordon knocked down jumpers and the Sixers went up 8-1.

The Sixers’ zone defense was initially effective; Indiana began 0 for 6 from three-point range. The decision to use heavy doses of zone was reasonable, in part because it allowed Drummond to hang around the paint a bit more in his first game since Jan. 4.

The 31-year-old big man finished the night with eight points and three boards in 27 minutes. He looked rusty, losing out on several rebounds he’s accustomed to grabbing and being whistled for two illegal screens in the first half.

Moving forward, the Sixers will hope Drummond can stay healthy and provide some measure of consistency and dependability at center. Counting the Indiana game, Embiid and Drummond have…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/3-observations-sixers-skid-reaches-215022468.html

Author : NBC Sports Philadelphia

Publish date : 2025-01-18 21:50:00

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