Tyrese Haliburton scored 32 points, leading the Indiana Pacers to a 121-107 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.
Pascal Siakam contributed 23 points and eight rebounds for Indiana, and Obi Toppin added 20 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Haliburton hit 7 of 15 three-point attempts and also had 11 assists.
Joel Embiid, the star for the 76ers, who has missed a lot of time this season due to injuries and suspension, left the game late in the second quarter after taking an accidental hit to the face. He finished with 12 points and five assists in 17 minutes.
Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 22 points, and Kelly Oubre Jr. had 12 points and 13 rebounds.
The Sixers started strong, jumping to a 9-2 lead, but that was the last time they had the advantage. Indiana responded with 14 straight points to take control of the game.
Siakam hit a three-pointer during the run, and Haliburton followed with two more from beyond the arc. Soon after, Andrew Nembhard scored with a reverse layup, giving the Pacers a 16-9 lead.
Siakam’s three-point play in the final seconds of the first quarter gave Indiana a 31-22 lead.
In the second quarter, Toppin’s two free throws pushed the lead into double digits for the first time. Philadelphia briefly cut the deficit to 43-40, but the Pacers answered with 13 points out of the next 16 to take back control.
At halftime, Indiana led 61-50.
In the third quarter, the Pacers extended their lead to as much as 18 before the 76ers pulled within 90-83 heading into the fourth.
With less than 10 minutes left in the game, the Sixers trailed 93-88, but Toppin hit a three-pointer and then made two free throws soon after.
Philadelphia remained within reach, with Paul George hitting two free throws to make it 105-98 with 4:31 left. However, Siakam quickly responded with a three-pointer to restore a 10-point lead, sparking a 12-0 run that sealed the win for Indiana.
