76ers vs. Pacers: Game thread, lineups, TV info and more

The Pacers last week of the regular season continues on Tuesday night when they host the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Pacers continue to harbor hope of jumping to the 8th seed in the East while also trying to avoid dropping out of the playoffs altogether. Currently, the Pacers are one loss behind the Hornets for the 8-seed, although Charlotte has the tie breaker. The Pacers will likely have to lose out to fall out of the playoffs, but their improved play over the past few games will be tested by Philly, assuming Joel Embiid is available.

Philly’s big-time big man sat out the team’s last visit to the Fieldhouse which saw the Pacers squander an early big lead before losing in one of several games that now have the Pacers at the back edge of playoff contention.

The Sixers need to win one of their last four games to clinch the top seed in the East. With Embiid not feeling well and Miami on the schedule Thursday, it wouldn’t be a shock if Philly played sans Embiid. They will also be without Matisse Thybulle who teamed up with Ben Simmons during the above mentioned Philly comeback to stymie the Pacers at the top of a 2-3 zone which should be illegal for too much length and athleticism.

The Pacers spirited play in the last three games with quality play from role players like Oshae Brissett and Kelan Martin, has the team looking like they belong in the post-season play. We’ll see if they can maintain that effort as the degree of difficulty increases.

The Pacers remain short-handed with Edmond Sumner going back on the injury list and not expected to play along with Jeremy Lamb, Malcolm Brogdon and Myles Turner.

Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN

When: 8:00 p.m. ET

TV: Bally Sports Indiana

Radio: 107.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan

Projected Starting Lineups:

Pacers: Caris LeVert, Aaron Holiday, Doug McDermott, Oshae Brissett, Domantas Sabonis

76ers: Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Danny Green, Tobias Harris, Joel Embiid

Injury update:

IND: JaKarr Sampson (concussion) - questionable, Edmond Sumner (knee) - out, Jeremy Lamb (knee) - out, Malcolm Brodgon (hamstring) - out, Myles Turner (big toe) - out, T.J. Warren (foot) - out

PHI: Joel Embiid (non-COVID illness) - questionable, Furkan Korkmaz (ankle) - out, Matisse Thybulle (left hand) - out

Enemy view: Liberty Ballers

Please leave your thoughts and observations on the game in the comments.