The 76ers were already making a run, having scored six consecutive points but trailing by 104-94 with 6 minutes and 38 seconds remaining to the Indiana Pacers, when coach Doc Rivers pulled out a secret weapon: a swarming 2-3 zone defense.
Sure, the Sixers had just beaten the defending NBA-champion Los Angeles Lakers, 107-106, on Wednesday , but they faced many more obstacles against the Pacers.
Joel Embiid missed the game because of back tightness, and the Sixers trailed by as many as 20 points late in the third quarter.
“We weren’t able to get good shots [against the zone],” said Malcolm Brogdon, who led the Pacers with 25 points, but scored only one in the fourth quarter.
“With those two guys [Thybulle and Simmons] and with Dwight’s size in the middle of the paint, plugging things up, it gives you a chance to be pretty effective,” Rivers said.
Last season, the Sixers suffered their only two home losses when they were stymied by zone defenses in consecutive defeats against Miami and Dallas.
- Doyel: What's it like with a players' coach? Pacers Nate Bjorkgren positive after collapse vs. SixersThe Indianapolis Star
- Ben Simmons, Matisse Thybulle had fun leading Sixers zone defenseSixers Wire
- Sixers battle back from late 20-point deficit to post a 119-110 victory over Pacers without Joel EmbiidThe Philadelphia Inquirer
- GRADES: Philadelphia 76ers 119, Indiana Pacers 110The Sixer Sense
- Game Rewind: Pacers 110, 76ers 119Pacers.com
- Philadelphia 76ers beat Indiana Pacers for first win without Joel EmbiidESPN
- 76ers find finishing touch to rally past Pacers, 119-110Washington Post
- 76ers Make Epic Comeback in IndianaSixers.com
- Sixers' Matisse Thybulle Earns Heavy Praise Once Again After Win vs. PacersSports Illustrated
