NBA: Philadelphia 76ers attempt to reverse fortunes towards Indiana Pacers

By means of three video games, the Philadelphia 76ers have much more questions than solutions.

That occurs with an 0-3 begin.

Following season-opening losses to the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks and San Antonio Spurs, the Sixers all of the sudden face an attention-grabbing take a look at after they host the Indiana Pacers on Monday.

The Sixers, who entered the season with excessive expectations, had been surprised 114-105 by the rebuilding Spurs on Saturday.

“We’ve lots of work to do,” Philadelphia head coach Doc Rivers mentioned.

Within the offseason, the Sixers tweaked their roster with the additions of De’Anthony Melton, Danuel Home Jr., Montrezl Harrell and P.J. Tucker.

Not solely does the staff appear to be missing chemistry, they have been coping with All-Star Joel Embiid’s newly disclosed plantar fasciitis. Embiid appeared to battle within the first two video games and Rivers defined the extent of play had been straight related with an damage.

Embiid did produce 40 factors and 13 rebounds towards the Spurs.

“I am nonetheless making an attempt to work my means again, however coming into coaching camp, I hadn’t achieved something in two months,” Embiid mentioned. “So it actually slowed me down. However I am nonetheless making an attempt to work my means again and hopefully all the pieces goes again to regular.”

Tyrese Maxey added 25 factors for his second sport of a minimum of 20 this season.

Ultimately, the Sixers could not make open photographs down the stretch or get sufficient defensive stops. But there is no panic.

“It is three video games. They have been disappointing losses for us, however it is a marathon,” Philadelphia’s Tobias Harris mentioned. “It is onerous in the mean time and everyone’s going to overanalyze each little factor and we should always as a result of we anticipate that out of ourselves.”

After dropping their first two video games, the Pacers picked up their first win Saturday, 124-115 over the Detroit Pistons.

Bennedict Mathurin led the way in which with 27 factors, Tyrese Haliburton added 24 — together with two late 3-pointers — and Jalen Smith had 19 factors and 15 rebounds within the staff’s most full all-around efficiency of the younger season.

It was additionally Smith’s finest sport and helped propel the Pacers to a much-needed victory.

“He stepped on the ground with a unique posture and disposition on the very starting of the sport,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle mentioned of Smith. “Might have taken him getting hit within the face final sport as a result of this sport will hit you within the face in the event you’re not able to play. He was able to play tonight. He was sensible.”

Myles Turner suffered a sprained left ankle earlier than the season opener and hasn’t performed. It is unclear if Turner shall be accessible towards the Sixers.

The damage has given prolonged minutes to Mathurin, and the No. 6 general decide within the 2022 NBA Draft has taken full benefit.

“My first NBA win,” Mathurin mentioned. “I am trying ahead to many extra.”

Ask a veteran coach like Carlisle, and he expects the identical factor.

“He is acquired an awesome really feel and disposition for a scorer,” Carlisle mentioned. “He has a degree of persistence.”