INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Joel Embiid scored 42 points, James Harden added 14 points, 20 assists and nine rebounds, and the Philadelphia 76ers pulled away late for a 147-143 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night in an entertaining game virtually devoid of defense.
Embiid made 11 of 16 field goals and all 19 free-throw attempts. Tyrese Maxey scored 24 points and Jalen McDaniels added 20 for the 76ers, who have won two straight.
Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 40 points and 16 assists in just their second home game since Feb. 16. Jordan Nwora finished with 16 points. Five other players reached double figures in Indiana's second game in two nights.
Neither team led by more than six points through the first three quarters as they put up offensive numbers more closely resembling those of an All-Star Game. The Sixers finally took control with a late 10-0 run.
Philadelphia shot 62.5% from the field and 3-point range in the first half and finished the game at 58.5% overall and 47.1% from 3.
The Pacers shot 61.1% from the field in the first half and finished at 58.9%.
The game was tied at 118-all early in the fourth quarter. Shake Milton and De’Anthony Melton made back-to-back baskets, Danuel House Jr. followed with a 3-pointer, and Milton closed out the critical run with another 3 to make it 128-118 with 7:49 remaining.
Indiana closed within 141-137 with 52.1 seconds to go. But the Pacers couldn’t get any closer.
TIP-INS
76ers: Embiid scored 40 points or more for the 11th time in his career. ... Harden recorded his 74th career double-double. ... Maxey went 8 of 13 from the field and now has 1,007 career baskets. He made six 3s. ... The 76ers were without Tobias Harris (bruised left calf) and P.J. Tucker (back spasms).
Pacers: Lost for the second time in five games. ... Indiana fell to 0-3 in the season series and hosts Philadelphia one more time this month. ... The Pacers played without Aaron Nesmith (sore left hip). Myles Turner played after being listed with a sore lower back.
THE BUZZ
Haliburton nearly pulled off a rare double in the first half. He finished both quarters by sinking shots at the buzzer, but only the second one counted. He made a 32-footer at the end of the half that was confirmed by replay review and gave Indiana a 79-78 lead. His half-court shot at the end of the first period came after time expired. A replay review also confirmed that call. Haliburton also made a 31-footer with 0.2 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
MOMENT OF SILENCE
Indiana honored David Benner, its longtime director of media relations, with a moment of silence before the game. Benner died last week at age 67 following a long illness. He joined the Pacers in 1994 after covering the team, Notre Dame football and Indiana University basketball for The Indianapolis Star. A memorial service at Gainbridge Fieldhouse is scheduled for Wednesday morning.
STARSTRUCK
Actor Will Ferrell and rapper, actor and television producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson sat courtside. Indiana honored the crew of the USS Indiana between the first and second quarters.
