The Sixers are in Indianapolis Friday night, reeling from three straight losses. With their loss Thursday night to the Houston Rockets, their playoff hopes are now likely tied to the play-in tournament. Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers blew out the Nets, 123-94, on Thursday as they wind down a rough season of their own.
Who: Philadelphia 76ers (43-37) at Indiana Pacers (19-61)
When: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Ind.
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBA League Pass
So much seemed to be heading in the right direction as the Sixers were looking toward the playoffs. Unfortunately, all that excitement resulted in yet another gut punch as Joel Embiid was sent to the hospital, being diagnosed with appendicitis that required immediate surgery. This should keep Embiid out of the lineup for a couple of weeks, essentially ending his season and the Sixers' season.
With two games left, the Sixers' primary focus is on staying afloat long enough to have a chance of Embiid joining them in the playoffs. Paul George played one of the worst games of his career against Houston. The Sixers will need much more out of him if they're to even look competitive.
The Pacers are less than a year removed from playing in the NBA Finals. When Tyrese Haliburton went down early in Game 7 against the Thunder last year, the Pacers' hopes of a title went away with him. Without Haliburton, the Pacers are a lottery team, much the same as the Sixers last season. This year, they have the second-worst record in the league, almost guaranteeing that they'll keep their top-4 protected pick in this upcoming draft.
The Pacers, despite blowing out the Nets on Thursday night, aren't a very good team, and it'll only help them for the future, as the Sixers were helped last season with their luck in the draft. The whole team is either listed as out or a game-time decision, and they won't offer much of a fight against a Sixers team that is much better overall. The light at the end of the tunnel for this season is that they'll likely get a very good to great player in the draft, while returning a star in Haliburton next year as well.
The Sixers are facing the prospect of having to win crucial games without their biggest star, and while they've been here before, the results have been inconsistent. That should be different this year, but it'll come down to a few key pieces falling into place. The Pacers game, followed by the Bucks at home on Sunday, will offer the opportunity to fine-tune the lineup for the play-in tournament.
The guard rotation of Maxey, Edgecombe, and Grimes all have to be playing at the top of their games, on both sides of the ball. There has to be movement and crisp passing in order to open up the floor for the trio to get their best looks and a chance to survive. The front-court of George, Kelly Oubre Jr., Dominick Barlow, and Justin Edwards will be counted on for much of the same. Defense, movement, and quality possessions are the only things that can prolong the season.
While those portions of the offense operate, Adem Bona and Andre Drummond are left to handle Embiid's duties at center, and while no one expects them to match a generational talent like Embiid, they represent a quality duo if used correctly. With the defense and passing lane clogging that the Sixers like to do, Bona should not be seeing a third of the minutes that Drummond did against the Rockets. His athleticism, combined with his rebounding and blocking abilities, should help a more athletic Sixers team moving forward. The key is for Bona to stay out of foul trouble, which he's improved but hasn't perfected. Tonight should be the perfect time for him to get in tune with the rest of the lineup.
MORE: Sixers lose third straight, fall to Rockets without Joel Embiid
