Pacers at 76ers final score: Indiana squeaks past Philadelphia, 101-94

With the Philadelphia 76ers entering Friday night on a losing streak of epic proportions, virtually no one expected them to compete with the East-leading Indiana Pacers, but for the better part of 48 minutes, that is exactly what they did. Unfortunately, though, it wasn’t quite enough, as Indy escaped with a 101-94 victory.

Turnovers were the single most important key in keeping the game close, and it was an uncharacteristic lack of ball security for the Pacers. Indiana committed a staggering 21 turnovers in the game (to just 10 for the Sixers), and that directly explains the fact that the Pacers were able to shoot better than 58% from the field, but still be relatively challenged.

Paul George led the way for the Pacers with 25 points on 9 for 15 shooting (including 4 for 7 from beyond the arc), but he wasn’t the only Indiana stud who had a nice game. Lance Stephenson had an uber-efficient double-double with 13 points (on just 8 shots) and 12 rebounds in 40 minutes, and David West added an 18-point, 7-rebound, 4-block (!) performance in support.

On the Philly side of things, it was an odd collection of performances. Thaddeus Young had easily the best night from a counting stats perspective with 25 points, 10 assists, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals, but the lefty shot just 10 for 31 (!) from the field and 0 for 6 from 3-point distance. Rookie of the Year contender Michael Carter-Williams nearly posted a triple-double with 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists, but as a team, Philly shot just 38.9% from the floor, and that was their undoing.

In the standings, this will go down as a ho-hum win for Indiana, but it was far closer than the experts expected, and Philadelphia is showing some signs of life despite a crazy losing streak.