The Indiana Pacers and the Philadelphia 76ers collide at the Wells Fargo Center on Sunday night.
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers have been in fine form with four wins in their past five games and they will be aiming for a fourth straight win after sneaking past the Bucks in a 126-124 home win on Thursday. Tyrese Haliburton led the team with 29 points and 10 assists on 10 of 17 shooting, Bennedict Mathurin added 26 points and 11 rebounds while Myles Turner chipped in with 21 points on eight of 16 shooting. As a team, the Pacers shot 47 percent from the field and a sizzling 20 of 48 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 38 points in the first quarter to build an early 18-point lead, but they couldn't hold off the Bucks and needed some heroics from Haliburton to erase a nine-point fourth quarter deficit.
Philadelphia 76ers
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers have been on fire as they are now looking to build on their current seven-game win streak after taking down the Pistons in a 114-106 road win on Friday. Joel Embiid led the team with 33 points and 16 rebounds, Tyrese Maxey added 29 points with 11 assists while Tobias Harris chipped in with 24 points. As a team, the 76ers shot 42 percent from the field and nine of 28 from the 3-point line as they got off to a sluggish start and scored just 21 points in the first quarter to trail by as many as 16 points. However, the 76ers made their move in a 35-21 third quarter to turn the tide and build a 17-point lead to get the win and keep their streak alive.
Peter's Pick
'The Pacers could be shorthanded once again as Jalen Smith and Aaron Nesmith are both questionable, while the 76ers are keeping an eye on Patrick Beverley who is currently listed as day to day. The Pacers are coming into this meeting with plenty of momentum and they will be full of confidence after taking down the Bucks in a thriller on Thursday. The 76ers have been the hottest team in the league with their seven-game win streak and they are deserved favorites here. The 76ers certainly have the edge in recent form, but the line just seems a couple points too high for this Pacers team who just took down the Bucks in their last outing.