76ers at Pacers
THE STORY: The Philadelphia 76ers are on the verge of clinching their spot in the postseason. All they need is one more win or a loss by the Milwaukee Bucks. The Indiana Pacers have the No. 3 seed locked up in the Eastern Conference and are trying to head into the postseason with the momentum on their side. The Pacers have won seven straight and did the 76ers a favor with a win over the Bucks on Thursday.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, CSP (Philadelphia), FSIN (Indiana)
ABOUT THE 76ERS (41-22): Philadelphia is limping down the stretch, having dropped seven of 10 this month. Making matters worse, the 76ers will play their final four games on the road. Philadelphia made its way into playoff contention early in the season based on a strong team defense and a balanced offense. In the seven losses this month, the 76ers have allowed an average of 99.9 points. They seemed to turn the corner at lowly Cleveland on Wednesday, putting five players in double figures in a 103-87 victory. The Cavaliers aren’t the best measuring stick, and it was only one game prior that Philadelphia allowed the Pacers to hit 13 3-pointers in a 102-97 setback.
ABOUT THE PACERS (32-30): Indiana had its lull in the middle of the season and has turned it around by going 11-1 in April. The Pacers, who play their last three at home, will open the playoffs in Indianapolis likely against the Orlando Magic. They have become an offensive juggernaut in the month, averaging 106.6 points in the 11 victories. Indiana is coming off a 118-109 triumph over Milwaukee on Thursday as Danny Granger went for 29 points. George Hill has taken over the starting point guard spot from Darren Collison and is averaging 5.4 assists against 0.9 turnovers in the last seven games.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Pacers have not won eight straight since the 2003-04 season.
2. Indiana has taken two of three in the series this season.
3. Philadelphia is 3-18 in games decided by seven points or less.