76ers 106, Pacers 95
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Philadelphia 76ers sent of Doug Collins off on a positive note if Wednesday was indeed his final game as coach of the team.
The 76ers led from start to finish in their 106-95 victory over the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
There have been multiple reports that Collins will not return as coach of the team next season.
Forward Dorell Wright came off the bench to lead the 76ers with 23 points on 8-of-15 shooting. Evan Turner added 16 points.
The Pacers are not heading into the playoffs on a positive note. They ended the regular season dropping five of their last six games. They'll still be the third seed and host the Atlanta Hawks in the first round. The Pacers have lost 11 straight games to the Hawks in Atlanta.
Swingman Gerald Green took advantage of a rare opportunity to start by scoring a career-high 34 points, which included six 3-pointers.
The 76ers set the tone from the start by scoring the first 11 points of the game. Philadelphia led by as many 26 points. Like they have done over the past week, the Pacers didn't just fold.
They opened the fourth quarter down by 15, but the Pacers got to within seven with five minutes left in the game. Green had 10 points in the final quarter.
The Pacers used too much energy getting back in the game, and they didn't have enough to get over the top.
NOTES: Pacers coach Frank Vogel rested four starters -- George Hill, Paul George, Roy Hibbert and David West -- against the 76ers. Hill has been dealing with a nagging groin/hip injury for three weeks. George is fatigued. Lance Stephenson was the only starter to play. He was joined by D.J. Augustin, Gerald Green, Ian Mahinmi and Tyler Hansbrough in the starting lineup. ... A 76ers spokesman told the media before the game that they could not ask Collins about the "rumors" surrounding his future with the team. There have been media reports that Collins will resign as coach. ... The Pacers went into Wednesday's game having trailed by at least 20 points in five straight games.
