INDIANAPOLIS _ 76ers coach Brett Brown spoke Sunday morning about his respect for coach Nate McMillan, All-Star Paul George and the Indiana Pacers as a whole.
Brown talked about Indiana being in a good position heading into the postseason. Nothing that happened Sunday evening would make you second-guess his observations.
The Pacers cruised to a 107-94 victory over the Sixers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Sunday's marked the 11th time in Indiana's 16 games since the All-Star break that an opponent scored a 100 or fewer points. The Sixers (27-46) also became the 11th team to be outrebounded by Indiana (37-36) during the stretch.
McMillan "has done a really good job with them," said Brown, whose squad split games with the Pacers on Nov. 9 (loss) and Nov. 11 (win). "You fast-forward to the end of March, close to April, close to playoff time, they are in a really good position.
"They have veteran players. They are positionally balanced. ... And they have one of the favorites, one you have so much respect for in Paul George."
George had a solid performance for the team positioned seventh in the Eastern Conference with nine games remaining. The top eight teams advance to the postseason. The small forward finished with 21 points on 7-for-17 shooting to go with eight rebounds and three assists.
He had scored 30 or more points in four of the Pacers' last 11 games. George averaged 27.2 points while making 44 percent of his 3-point shots in those 11 games.
George struggled from the behind the arc against the Sixers, making just 1 of 7.
But Brown is amazed that he's still able to play.
George suffered a compound fracture in his lower right leg in the U.S. team's scrimmage in Las Vegas on Aug. 1, 2014. There was some initial concern that his career was over. However, he returned on April 5, 2015, and played the final six games of that season.
He returned to his All-Star form, making the 2016 and 2017 All-Star Games. He left Sunday's game with 4:55 to play.
"I think he's class," Brown said. "He's an example to all of us to what the human body can endure. ... He's a two-way player. He is just a true pro, all class."
Indiana center Myles Turner added 17 points and game highs of 16 rebounds and two blocked shots.
Dario Saric had a rough night. He finished with nine points to end his streak of consecutive double-digit scoring games at 22. Saric made just 3 of 15 shots and committed four turnovers. He missed seven of his eight first-half shots. Saric did finish with 10 rebounds.
The Pacers double-teamed Saric, the rookie-of-the-year front-runner, whenever he headed toward the basket.
Reserve point guard Sergio Rodriguez paced the Sixers with 16 points while making 4 of 6 three-pointers. Reserve center Shawn Long and center Richaun Holmes had double-doubles. Long finished with 15 points and a career-high 10 rebounds. Holmes had 11 points and a team-high 12 boards.
The Pacers built a 19-point lead on George's three-point play with 6 minutes, 10 seconds left in the third quarter.
They extended their cushion to 28 points (106-78) on C.J. Miles' 3-pointer with 4:41 left.
Al Jefferson suffered a sprained left ankle and left the game early in the fourth quarter. He was taken off the floor in a wheelchair.
Sixers center Jahlil Okafor missed his second straight game with a sore right knee.
