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76ers' defense meets Pacers' offense with Haliburton questionable

Philadelphia has the league's lowest turnover rate and its fourth-best defense but the 29th-ranked offense. Indiana may be without Tyrese Haliburton.

76ers: fourth in defensive rating (100.4), 29th in offense (103.2)
Pacers: seventh in effective field goal percentage at 55.6
Tyrese Haliburton is questionable; Ivica Zubac is out

Published October 28, 2026 at 7:02 AM1 min read How this story was written

Wed, Oct 28, 7:00 PM

Philadelphia 76ers

Indiana Pacers

Matchup and stats

Philadelphia's fourth-ranked defense meets Indiana's seventh-ranked shooting when the 76ers (3-1) visit the Pacers (2-2) on Wednesday, October 28, at 7:00 PM ET, with Tyrese Haliburton questionable.

The 76ers' offense is 29th at 103.2 points per 100 possessions and 28th in effective field goal percentage at 48. Indiana's defense allows 110.6 per 100, 18th in the league.

Indiana's offense is seventh in effective field goal percentage at 55.6. Philadelphia holds opponents to 49, fourth best, and that matchup decides much of the game.

Philadelphia protects the ball better than anyone, with a turnover rate of 10.1, the league's lowest. Indiana forces turnovers on 11.6% of possessions, 23rd. The 76ers are last in offensive rebound rate at 18.

Tyrese Maxey leads Philadelphia at 28.8 points a game, and Joel Embiid averages 9.7 rebounds in three games. Pascal Siakam scores 23.5 a game for Indiana, and Haliburton hands out 9.5 assists.

Haliburton is questionable, as is Andrew Nembhard. Ivica Zubac, the Pacers' leading rebounder at 8.7 a game, is out, along with Ben Sheppard and Johnny Furphy.

Five more Pacers are probable. Philadelphia lists four players out, among them Dominick Barlow and Tacko Fall.

The 76ers lost 106-93 to Detroit at home in their last game, after three straight wins. Sportsbooks' prices give Philadelphia a 63% chance to win; Keel's projection, built from the players available, has the 76ers at 53%.