The Indiana Pacers needed their blistering start against the Philadelphia 76ers to hold on late, an anxious conclusion to an otherwise important win. Indiana jumped all over Philadelphia to start, going ahead 33-12 late in the first with Paul George scoring 17 first quarter points.
The Pacers appeared primed to cruise to victory, but the energy of the Sixers made things difficult for Indiana. The Sixers began to employ a trapping half court defense, discombobulating the Pacers into costly turnovers right back into the game. The Pacers dominated the points off turnovers category, but despite scoring 32 points off of 18 Philly turnovers, the Sixers in turn found 17 points against Indiana miscues, including 10 steals.