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Sixers-Pacers preview: Solving Indiana's defense

Pacers have won three of last season's four series meetings and 12 of 14 overall.

Sixers forward Robert Covington celebrates his three-pointer over Hawks forward Taurean Prince on Wednesday.
Sixers forward Robert Covington celebrates his three-pointer over Hawks forward Taurean Prince on Wednesday.Read moreSTEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photographer
    by Keith Pompey | Columnist
    Published 

Indiana Pacers (5-3) at 76ers (4-4)

Friday at 7 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center

Talking points

The Pacers have held their last three opponents – the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs – to an average of 94.7 points. They did that after surrendering an average of 115.6 points in their  first five games. The improved defense is a major reason why Indiana is riding a three-game winning streak. The Pacers also ranked fourth in field-goal percentage (48.3 percent) and fifth in scoring at 111.5 points per game. Former Sixer Thad Young is coming off his best game as a Pacer. The power forward finished with  26 points against the Cavs on Wednesday,

How to watch and follow the game

  1. TV and streaming: NBC Philadelphia

  2. Radio: 97.5 FM

  3. Twitter: @PompeyOnSixers; @NBASarah

Starting lineups

Pacers (5-3)

44 Bojan Bogdanovic SF 6-8 13.0 ppg 3.0 rpg.

21 Thad Young PF 6-8 14.4  ppg. 6.1 rpg.

11 Domantas Sabonis C 6-11 13.1 ppg. 11.1 rpg.

4 Victor Oladipo SG 6-4 23.8 ppg. 3.5 apg.

2 Darren Collison PG 6-0 14.3 ppg. 7.3 apg.

Coach: Nate McMillan (14th season, 525-495)

Injury report:  Glenn Robinson III (left ankle surgery, out), Edmond Sumner (left knee surgery (out), Myles Tuner (concussion and sore neck).

Sixers (4-4)

33 Robert Covington SF 6-9  14.6 ppg. 1.8 spg

9 Dario Saric PF 6-10  7.4 ppg. 4.5 rpg.

21 Joel Embiid C 7-2 20.9 ppg. 10.3 rpg.

17 J.J. Redick SG 6-4  12.3 ppg. 3.2 apg.

25 Ben Simmons PG 6-10 18.5 ppg. 9.6 rpg.

Coach: Brett Brown (fifth season, 79-257)

Injury report: J.J. Redick (lower-back tightness, probable); Markelle Fultz (shoulder injury, out)

Head to head

The Pacers hold a 46-39 series advantage.  Indiana has won three of the last season's four meetings 12 of the previous 14.

Coming games

Tuesday: 9 p.m., at Vivint Smart Home Arena, Sixers vs. Utah Jazz

Thursday: 10 p.m., at Steep Train Arena, Sixers vs. Sacramento Kings

Nov. 11: 8:30 p.m., at Oracle Arena, Sixers vs. Golden State Warriors

Nov. 13: 10:30 p.m., at Staples Center, Sixers vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Nov. 15: 1030 p.m., at Staples Center, Sixers vs. Los Angeles Lakers