The Philadelphia 76ers will return home on Saturday night after rallying to knock off the New York Knicks on the road on Friday and they will be facing off against a familiar face. When the Indiana Pacers invade the Wells Fargo Center, they will be bringing with them Process champion T.J. McConnell.
McConnell left the Sixers in free agency in July to sign with the Pacers after he spent four seasons in Philadelphia. He was a major part of the Sixers infamous “Process” and he saw the majority of it through and through and he even started a playoff game in 2018 against the Boston Celtics. Unlike Jimmy Butler’s return on November 23, it can be assumed that the reception for McConnell will be a bit more friendly.
With that said, it’s time to dive into the Sixers and the Pacers with all of the guidelines:
How to watch Sixers vs. Pacers
- Date: Saturday, November 30
- Time: 7:00 p.m. EST
- Location: Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia, PA
- TV: NBATV, NBC Sports Philadelphia
Injury Report
- Sixers: NOT YET SUBMITTED
- Pacers: NOT YET SUBMITTED
Storylines
Bench producers
The Sixers bench has been able to step up and provide some production when the team needs it. In their Thanksgiving Eve win over the Sacramento Kings, it was rookie Matisse Thybulle who stepped in and provided some good work off the bench to give the team a big spark late. On Friday, it was James Ennis III who scored 20 points off the pine to guide Philadelphia on a big rally past the Knicks.
Tobias Harris stated on Ennis on Friday:
I mean, in this whole locker room he has a respect level with the way that he plays and how hard he plays and tonight it was that coming to fruition in a high-volume way, but we don’t come out of here with a win today without him, his effort. I thought he gave us a huge spark especially in the third quarter and played a great game. He desereves it, he works his butt off and he is a professional and he comes in every game and gives us that great energy.
Pelle surprises
The Sixers were undermanned on Friday as they were already missing Kyle O’Quinn due to injury and then decided to rest Al Horford with the team playing a back-to-back situation. So, the Sixers decided to call upon two-way player Norvel Pelle to provide some minutes off the bench. The 26-year old made his debut and scored three points with four big blocks as he protected the rim nicely.
Harris again was happy with what he saw from Pelle as he stated:
To come right up from the G League and be able to make an impact today in the game, I thought he did a great job of just contesting shots, making the game a bit scrappy just by imposing his will out there. So I thought his energy was great for us.
Prediction
The Sixers are just a different team at home. The Philadelphia fan base just rallies around them and gives them the big boost of energy they need in some games to come away with a win. The Pacers are a scrappy bunch led by Myles Turner, Domantas Sabonis, and Malcolm Brogdon who have been holding down the fort until Victor Oladipo returns from injury, but it will be a tall task on the road. Philadelphia should be able to hold off Indiana and make it three straight wins.
Pick: Sixers in a close one
Sixers vs. Pacers season series
Game 1 November 30:
Game 2 December 31:
Game 3 Januaru 13:
Game 4 March 14:
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