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The Pacers ended up surviving their own problems in Philadelphia to eventually finish off the 76ers for their 48th win of the season. Without much in reserve, the Pacers had to lean on their starters more than it appeared Frank Vogel, or the players themselves expected.
Andrew Bynum sat out the game to avoid playing in back-to-back games. C.J. Watson was active after missing a few games with an elbow injury but then tweaked his hammy played less than eight minutes. Ian Mahinmi was on the active roster but not really available and then Donald Sloan had to miss the game due to some personal issues that has him with his family this weekend.
So after Vogel stretched his reserve rotation in the first half, apparently hoping to spread the wealth and still get a W, the lack of numbers and inability to put away the Sixers forced the starters to play heavy minutes. George Hill was the last point guard standing and played just under 40 minutes which won't make chasing Brandon Jennings around on Saturday night any fun.
Those starters also accounted for 18 of the team's 22 turnovers which made the game a "just win, baby" situation in the fourth quarter. But the win counts the same as the other 47 and was made even sweeter when former assistant, Brian Shaw guided his Denver Nuggets past the Miami Heat in Miami. The Heat turned the ball over 20 times themselves and are now three games behind the Pacers in the Eastern Conference standings and more importantly, two games behind in the loss column.
The Pacers have 17 games remaining while the Heat have 19 and with two head-to-head games remaining and a tough schedule on the horizon for the Pacers, the Blue and Gold didn't seem to care about gathering any style points for the win in Philly.
Check out the links:
Game Rewind: Pacers 101, 76ers 94 | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS
Post game comments from David West, Lavoy Allen, and Paul Geo... on Twitpic
It wasn't pretty, but Pacers get 101-94 win over 76ers - Indy Star
76ers lose 19th straight game, 101-94 to Pacers - AP
Pacers winning despite turnovers | Pacers BlogsPacers winning despite turnovers | Pacers Blogs
Sloppy Pacers slip past slumping Sixers - 1070 The Fan
Donald Sloan to miss weekend pair of road games | Pacers Blogs
Sixers fall to Pacers; losing streak at 19 - Philly.com
Game Preview: Pacers at Pistons | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS
Evan Turner: 'No animosity' towards Sixers or Philly | Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia
Pacers Week In Review: Reports of Indiana’s demise greatly exaggerated | 8 Points, 9 Seconds
NBA Tank Watch: Pistons awful is more awful than your awful - Detroit Bad Boys