Why The 76ers-Pacers Matchup On August 1st Means So Much To Both Teams

• The Philadelphia 76ers and Indiana Pacers will resume their seasons in an August 1st matchup in Orlando. The Pacers and 76ers are currently the fifth and sixth seeds, respectively, in the Eastern Conference. Both teams have clinched playoff spots. Indiana defeated Philadelphia in 2-of-3 games that the teams played against each other before the season’s suspension in March.

• The August 1st matchup is a potential preview of a first round playoff series given how close they are in the standings. What makes the Indiana-Philadelphia contest so intriguing is that both teams utilize completely different approaches to win games. While the 76ers depend on their all-star duo of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, the Pacers rely on an egalitarian approach with a deep roster that is devoid of any superstars.

• The three questions that the 76ers must answer are whether they can develop any type of perimeter game against the Pacers, whether they can control T.J. Warren, and whether Al Horford can return to all-star form.

• The three questions that the Pacers must answer are whether they can keep Joel Embiid in check, whether they can continue playing well without Victor Oladipo, and whether they can win close games.

• The 76ers are currently 5-point favorites against the Pacers in their August 1st matchup, per Draftkings Sportsbook.

Contrasting Approaches

The Philadelphia 76ers and Indiana Pacers have identical win-loss records of 39-26. They are currently the fifth and sixth seeds, respectively, in the Eastern Conference. The two teams’ net point differentials are separated by 0.3 points per game. While the Pacers and 76ers are similarly situated in the standings, how each team arrived at their August 1st matchup could not be more different.

The 76ers are led by their all-star duo of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Embiid is averaging a team-leading 23.4 points per game and 11.8 rebounds per game, while Simmons is averaging 16.7 points per game and a team-leading 8.2 assists per game. Embiid has the 10th best player efficiency rating in the league, while Simmons ranks fifth in the league in triple-doubles.

By contrast, the Pacers rely on their depth and egalitarian approach to win games. No player on the Pacers will make an All-NBA team this season, but seven Pacers average in double figures. Nine of their 10 regular rotational players have positive value over replacement ratings. Ten players on Indiana’s roster averaged more than 15 minutes per game.

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Keys For 76ers Success

Philadelphia’s struggles from the three-point line have been exacerbated when they’ve faced Indiana. The 76ers connected on a combined 23 three-pointers and shot an abysmal 27.0 percent from the three-point line in their three games against Indiana. On the season, the 76ers have averaged 11.4 three-pointers per game while shooting 36.2% from distance. The 76ers acquired Glenn Robinson III and Alec Burks at the trade deadline to improve their perimeter shooting. All three of the prior meetings between the Pacers and 76ers occurred before Philadelphia acquired Robinson III and Burks.

While the Pacers are a team without any superstars, Indiana’s T.J. Warren has looked like one against the 76ers. Warren has averaged 23.6 points per game on 65.1% shooting from the field in their three previous matchups. Warren’s season averages are 18.7 points per game on 52.9 percent shooting from the field.

The 76ers will only become legitimate contenders for the championship if Al Horford can play like an All-Star again. Horford has disappointed Philadelphia’s fans after signing a four-year, $109 million contract in the offseason. Horford is averaging his fewest points per game since his second year in the league and is shooting worse than ever from the field.

No Oladipo, No Problem

Indiana’s frontcourt of All-Star Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner have been dominated by Embiid the last two seasons. Embiid has averaged 29.4 points and 13.4 rebounds per game in five contests against the Pacers over the last two seasons. Embiid did not play in the two games that the Pacers won against the 76ers this season.

Former two-time All-Star Victor Oladipo has decided to sit out the rest of the NBA campaign. His absence from the remainder of the season may benefit Indiana, as Oladipo struggled terribly in the 13 games he played following his return from a ruptured quad tendon. Oladipo averaged career-lows in field goal percentage and three-point percentage, posting a negative value over replacement player rating. This season, the Pacers were just 7-6 in the games that Oladipo played, but 32-20 in the games that Oladipo did not play.

One of the key questions that the Pacers must answer to become legitimate title contenders is whether they can win close games. The Pacers win-loss record in games decided by three points or less was just 5-7, the worst record of any team in either conference that has clinched a playoff spot. The Pacers lack a superstar to turn to in crunch time.

August 1st Battle

Barring any other injuries, bettors should strongly consider taking the 4.5 points with the Pacers. Oddsmakers are overreacting to the Oladipo news. His absence will reduce the logjam that the Pacers have at the guard position and will lead to more touches for Malcolm Brogdon, Indiana’s leader in assists. The Pacers were a much better team this season without Oladipo. Indiana and Philadelphia are far too evenly matched for a spread as large as 5-points.

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