Pacers at 76ers
THE STORY:
Two of the bigger surprises in the Eastern Conference over the first two
weeks have been the Philadelphia 76ers and Indiana Pacers. After barely
scraping into the playoffs last season as the bottom two seeds, the
76ers and Pacers were expected to make small strides this season, maybe
moving up a spot or two. So far, it looks like those expectations need
to be adjusted. Philadelphia leads the NBA in scoring defense,
surrendering 85.6 points, while also averaging 100.9 points on offense.
The Pacers have not scored nearly as much at 93.0 points, but have been
nearly as strong on the other end in limiting the opposition to 89.3
points. Indiana picked up a statement win at Boston 87-74 on Friday.
Philadelphia has won four in a row and has held its last two opponents
to an average of 67.5 points. The 76ers will look to make it five in a
row when they host the Pacers on Monday.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Indiana, CS Philadelphia
ABOUT THE PACERS (6-2):
Indiana followed up its win over the Celtics with a 99-77 demolition of
the Charlotte Bobcats on Saturday, holding them to 33 percent from the
floor. That marked the fifth time in eight games that the Pacers had
held an opponent to less than 40 percent shooting. After allowing 30
points in the first quarter, Indiana surrendered just 28 in the second
half. The Pacers are spreading the offense around with seven players
averaging double figures.
ABOUT THE 76ERS (5-2): After
allowing more than 100 points in two of its first three games - both
losses - Philadelphia has locked down on the defensive end. The
highlight performance came Saturday, when the 76ers crushed the Toronto
Raptors 97-62. Philadelphia held Toronto to 32 percent shooting and
forced 17 turnovers. Coach Doug Collins was able to give his players
plenty of rest with the large lead, keeping them healthy for this week,
when the Indiana game kicks off a stretch of three games in as many
days.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The teams split four meetings last season.
2. Pacers forward Danny Granger has struggled shooting, connecting on 30.7 percent of his field goal attempts.
3. Philadelphia leads the league in defensive rebounding (34.6).