Pacers vs. 76ers tonight has real stakes and live energy. Indiana is banged up but stubborn. Philadelphia is healthier and hungry. Tip is set for 7:00 PM ET at Xfinity Mobile Arena. I am told Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey are listed probable and on track to play, barring any last minute setbacks. That changes everything.
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Embiid and Maxey tilt the floor
Embiid resets the Sixers offense on every touch. He draws doubles, wins the glass, and controls tempo. With Maxey back, the pace picks up, the corners open, and the pick and roll gets teeth. Maxey’s north and south pressure creates easy reads for Embiid. It also gives Paul George cleaner catch and shoot looks.
Philadelphia enters at 13–10 and needed this stretch. A multi day break allowed them to drill spacing and timings. Expect early actions to test Indiana’s switches. Look for elbow touches for Embiid, then a steady diet of two man game with Maxey. If the Pacers help off the nail, George will punish from the slot.
Embiid and Maxey are probable, not confirmed. Status can change near tip.
Indiana’s surge, Carlisle’s moment
The Pacers are 6–18, yet they have won two straight and four of six. They have done it without Tyrese Haliburton, who remains out with an Achilles injury. Aaron Nesmith and Obi Toppin are still sidelined. That is a lot of firepower missing. But Indiana has leaned into grit and smart half court sets.
Pascal Siakam is the hub now. He posts, drives, and initiates from the wing. Bennedict Mathurin is hunting contact and getting to the line. Andrew Nembhard has taken command at the point. His 28 point, 12 assist night this week was a statement. He controls pace and does not rush.
Rick Carlisle stands one win shy of 1,000 in his head coaching career. His teams rarely beat themselves. Expect creative traps and surprise zones to steal a few possessions.
Carlisle can reach 1,000 career wins with a victory tonight. That milestone is guiding his rotation decisions.
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Matchups and X factors
Myles Turner sets the tone for Indiana at the rim. He must be vertical, clean, and decisive against Embiid. Early fouls would be a killer. If Turner holds his ground, Indiana can keep a second defender at home on shooters.
On the perimeter, Nembhard will see Maxey in space. The goal is to shade him into length and avoid middle drives. Mathurin’s energy matters too. He has to turn defense into run outs, because Indiana’s half court doors close fast against Philadelphia’s size.
For the Sixers, watch George’s usage. If he cooks early, Indiana will send late digs, which opens weak side skip passes. Nicolas Batum’s connective passing can stabilize the second unit. Also, keep an eye on rebounding. Philadelphia must finish possessions to prevent Mathurin’s leak outs.
Here are three swing areas I will be tracking:
- Turnovers by Indiana’s ball handlers under pressure
- Free throws for Embiid and Mathurin, who both hunt contact
- Bench minutes, where Carlisle may steal rest with small lineups
Betting outlook and tempo read
Books have Philadelphia favored by about 6 to 7.5 points. The total sits near 226.5 to 227.5. My board leans to a tighter game than that spread suggests. The Pacers have been more competitive than their record. The Sixers have been spotty against the number at home in recent weeks.
The total points market is interesting. Without Haliburton, Indiana plays calmer, with more half court touches for Siakam. That slows games and trims variance. If Embiid sees doubles, possessions can grind. That supports a lean to the under near 227, with some cushion for late fouls.
Leans, not locks. Pacers plus the points and a slight lean to the under 227 based on pace and matchups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What time and where is the game?
A: Friday, December 12, 2025, at 7:00 PM ET, Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Q: Are Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey playing?
A: Both are listed probable and are expected to play, barring late changes.
Q: Who is out for the Pacers?
A: Tyrese Haliburton remains out with an Achilles injury. Aaron Nesmith and Obi Toppin are also sidelined.
Q: What is the main storyline for Indiana?
A: Rick Carlisle is one win from 1,000, and the short handed Pacers have won two straight and four of six.
Q: What are the key player matchups?
A: Embiid vs Turner in the paint, Maxey vs Nembhard at the point, and George vs Indiana’s wings on the perimeter.
This one has real juice. A healthier Sixers group needs rhythm and a statement. A wounded Pacers squad is finding itself and fighting for a milestone win for its coach. Expect a physical first quarter, tactical shifts in the middle, and stars to decide it late. Basketball night in Philly, and it feels big. 🏀
