Opening Night has a different meaning for each team and fan base, as each team heads in with a different approach each season. For some teams like San Antonio, it means the first game in what they hope to be a championship season. Others, like the Lakers last night, have opening night represent a return or first appearance of a returning icon, like Kobe Bryant.
The Opening Night of basketball in Philadelphia falls a bit shy of qualifying for consideration for the start of a championship run. It is no secret the Sixers have low expectations, but there are still plenty of other reasons to get excited for the return of basketball.
One thing to really keep an eye out for is the NBA debut of center Nerlens Noel. The sixth overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft is fully healed from his torn ACL, and will be without any limitations. Remember when Michael Carter-Williams seemingly won the Rookie of the Year award with his impressive rookie debut this year? Those are the kind of surprises you get out of the start of a season full of unknowns.
They will face an Indiana team that had arguably the strangest season in the NBA last season, being a dominant team for more than half the season, only to have internal clashes and struggle down the stretch. Their once-promising outlook in becoming a perennial contender is now actually rather bleak. Center Roy Hibbert regressed considerably last season and superstar forward Paul George suffered a gruesome broken leg and now they seem like a rather ordinary team. So for even a casual NBA fan, this game will be interesting to see how the Pacers come out of the gate looking, and if there is restored chemistry after last year’s challenging times in the locker room and at practice.
As for the matchup on the court, it represents an interesting contrast. On one side of the court are the slow-paced, veteran Indiana Pacers. Head coach Frank Vogel also will be challenged for depth, as the Pacers are down a handful of players (see injury section). On the other side, though, are the up-tempo, younger 76ers. Last season, the Sixers ranked 4th in the entire NBA with 17.4 fastbreak points per game.
Game Notes:
- The Pacers swept the three-game season series last season.
- Chris Copeland, who is starting in Paul George’s spot, has a career shooting percentage of 42% from three. The Sixers were 29th in the NBA in defending the three a season ago.
- The Sixers are 32-19 all-time on opening night.
- The only returning starter for the Pacers is Hibbert.
- In the last time these two teams met to open the season, Charles Barkley dropped 29 points in leading the Sixers to victory.
Injuries:
Starters George (leg), George Hill (knee) and David West (ankle) all will not dress for Indiana. Reserves C.J. Watson and Rodney Stuckey both are suffering from foot injuries, but Stuckey will play while Watson is out. For Philadelphia, Joel Embiid (foot) and Michael Carter-Williams will not play, recovering from off-season surgeries. Luc Mbah a Moute is out with a back injury, and Jerami Grant will also miss the game with an ankle injury.
Starting Lineups:
Sixers:
PG- Tony Wrotten
SG- K. J. McDaniels
SF- Hollis Thompson
PF- Nerlens Noel
C- Henry Sims
Pacers:
PG- Donald Sloan
SG-C.J. Miles
SF- Chris Copeland
PF- Luis Scola
C- Roy Hibbert
Prediction: The depleted Pacers lineup keeps this closer than most Sixers road games will go against playoff teams from a season ago, but they still prevail with a 102-87 victory.
