How to Watch Pacers' Game With Sixers on Monday; Gametime, TV, Point Spread
The Indiana Pacers enter Monday's matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers with ambitions of ending a three-game losing streak.
In their previous outing, the Pacers failed to execute well enough in the clutch to get a win in New York against the Knicks. Indiana ended up losing 112-107.
The Cleveland Cavaliers managed to upset the 76ers in Philadelphia's most recent outing. Their 112-109 overtime loss snapped a two-game winning streak.
It remains to be seen whether some key players from both teams will end up playing in this game. The Pacers have listed Malcolm Brogdon as questionable
Here are the particulars on Monday night's game:
- Who: Indiana Pacers (15-17) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (22-12)
- When: 7:00 p.m. ET, March, 1, 2021.
- Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA.
- Latest Line: The 76ers are considered a 4.5-point favorite, per BetMGM.
- Standings: Entering this matchup, the 76ers still hold the top record in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Pacers rank 9th.
- Series history: Philadelphia leads the all-time series, 102-82.
- Last meeting: On Jan. 31, 2021, the Pacers lost what was a 20-point lead at one point to the 76ers after Philadelphia used a 21-2 run in the fourth quarter to win 119-110.
- Projected 76ers starters: Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Danny Green, Furkan Korkmaz, Joel Embiid.
- Projected Pacers starters: TJ McConnell, Justin Holiday, Doug McDermott, Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner.
- TV: ESPN, Fox Sports Indiana.
- Announcers: FOX Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (studio host), ESPN - Ryan Ruocco (play-by-play), Doris Burke (analyst), Cassidy Hubbarth (sideline reporter)
- Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)
Here are three things to watch in this game:
1. Sixers' Zone Defense
There may have not been a more concerning stretch of basketball for the Pacers this season than when the 76ers deployed their attacking 2-3 zone in the fourth quarter of their previous meeting. Indiana didn't score from the field once. Will Philadelphia bring it out again?
2. Will Joel Embiid Play?
There isn't a player more important in this matchup than Joel Embiid. He's currently very much in the running for the NBA MVP Award given his impressive production this season. If he ends up playing, will the Pacers' bigs avoid foul trouble? That has been an issue in previous matchups.
3. Who Will Create for Pacers?
One of the main limitations of this Pacers team is their lack of a legitimate primary shot creator out on the perimeter. Malcolm Brogdon is a limited pull-up shooter and he's their best option yet might not even play. Where will this production come from against a tough defense?
