Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Spencer Hawes had a career night,
registering 18 points, 16 rebounds, eight assists and seven blocks, as the
76ers defeated the Indiana Pacers, 98-91, on Saturday.
Hawes was one of six Philadelphia players to score double-digits. Jrue
Holiday had 27 points and 12 assists for the Sixers, who came into the game
off a 98-94 loss against Miami on Wednesday. Thaddeus Young and Dorell Wright
scored 13 points apiece and Damien Wilkins added 12. Evan Turner tallied 11
points.
"Spencer, wow, he has been terrific," said 76ers coach Doug Collins. "Spencer
is an incredibly gifted basketball player."
Roy Hibbert had 25 points and 10 rebounds for the Pacers, who have lost three
of their last four games. Paul George nearly recorded a triple-double with 18
points, 14 rebounds and eight assists. David West also scored 18 points in the
setback.
Indiana had a 72-71 edge entering the fourth quarter, but Lavoy Allen made a
tip shot 15 seconds in to give Philadelphia a 73-72 lead, and the 76ers would
hold on to it for the rest of the contest. Wright followed that with a triple
to put them up 76-72.
A pair of free throws by George with 11:06 left in regulation cut the deficit
to 76-74, but that was close as the Pacers would get. The 76ers went on a 14-2
run to extend their lead to 90-76 with 5:46 remaining.
George scored 13 points in the period, but the rest of the team scored just
six, and the Pacers shot 27.3 percent from the field.
It was a close contest throughout the entire game up until the fourth.
The Pacers held their largest lead early in the second quarter, 31-23, however
it quickly evaporated, as a 7-0 spurt by the 76ers in 2 1/2 minutes cut the
deficit to 31-30.
The Pacers led 49-48 at halftime.
Game Notes
Hawes' 16 rebounds and seven blocks are career-highs ... Holiday scored 20
points in the first half ... The Sixers blocked a season-high 14 shots.
The Pacers still hold a 2-1 lead in the season-series. They play once more in
the regular-season finale on Apr. 17 at Indiana.
The Sports Network