Indiana Pacers vs Philadelphia-76ers Picks and Predictions January 18th 2025

76ers Face Another Setback as Pacers Look to Stay Hot

The Philadelphia 76ers continue to battle adversity as they prepare to face the surging Indiana Pacers on Saturday night. With star center Joel Embiid sidelined indefinitely, the Sixers are struggling to find consistency. Meanwhile, the Pacers are riding a wave of momentum and aim to keep their strong form going at home.

Embiid’s Absence Looms Large for Philadelphia

Philadelphia announced on Friday that Embiid, who has already missed six games due to a foot sprain, is now dealing with swelling in his left knee. The former NBA MVP is set to miss at least another week, keeping him out for the team’s three-game road trip.

“While the foot sprain has healed, Embiid experienced an increase in swelling in his left knee following (Thursday’s) workout,” the Sixers said in a statement. “After consulting with team medical staff and external doctors, Embiid will receive treatment in the coming days to address the swelling.”

This news is a significant blow for a Philadelphia squad that has struggled without its franchise cornerstone. The Sixers have dropped four straight games and have lacked both offensive efficiency and defensive stability in Embiid’s absence.

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Maxey Carrying the Load, but Sixers Struggling

With Embiid out, Tyrese Maxey has stepped up as the Sixers’ primary offensive weapon. Over his last five games, Maxey is averaging 30.4 points per game, but his shooting efficiency has been inconsistent, making it difficult for Philadelphia to keep pace with stronger opponents.

Veterans Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr. have had their moments, while Justin Edwards and Jeff Dowtin Jr. have provided some energy off the bench. However, the team is still searching for a reliable formula to compensate for Embiid’s absence.

Maxey remains optimistic about the team’s younger players gaining valuable experience.

“If we didn’t have guys out—six guys, seven guys out—we don’t know what Justin would be doing,” Maxey said. “Just every single night when guys take advantage of the opportunity, at the end of the day, it’s fun, man. We’re playing the game that we love, the game that we asked to play, the game that we work our tails off to play every single day.”

Still, the Sixers will need more than optimism to snap their losing streak against a red-hot Pacers squad.

Pacers Riding Momentum and Strong Team Play

Unlike the Sixers, the Indiana Pacers have been one of the hottest teams in the league, winning seven of their last eight games. They extended their strong stretch with a 111-100 victory over the Detroit Pistons, led by a career night from Myles Turner.

Turner matched his career-high with eight three-pointers, proving to be a lethal offensive weapon. Head coach Rick Carlisle praised Turner’s confidence and overall impact on the game.

“He was in a groove for sure,” Carlisle said. “But more than the shot-making, I loved his attitude, the way he played the game.”

The Pacers also welcomed back Aaron Nesmith, who had been out for over two months with a sprained ankle. In limited minutes, Nesmith scored nine points in nine minutes, giving Indiana another boost on both ends of the floor.

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“I felt good,” Nesmith said. “Going into the next game, it’s going to be even easier to flow right into it.”

With Nesmith back, he joins a well-balanced Pacers squad featuring Tyrese Haliburton (17 points, eight assists vs. Detroit), Pascal Siakam (26 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, four steals), and Turner (28 points).

Season Series Tied with a Crucial Matchup Ahead

Saturday’s matchup marks the third of four meetings between the Sixers and Pacers this season. Philadelphia won the first game in a 118-114 overtime battle in Indiana on Oct. 27. The Pacers responded with a 121-107 win in Philadelphia on Dec. 13.

With the season series tied, Indiana looks to capitalize on Philadelphia’s current struggles and continue their upward trajectory. Meanwhile, the Sixers are desperate for a victory to regain their footing and avoid slipping further down the standings.

Can the Sixers find a way to rally without Embiid, or will the Pacers continue their dominant stretch? Saturday’s showdown in Indianapolis will provide the answer.