Nick Nurse and Caleb Martin avoided potentially game-winning decisions.

Andre Drummond might be a better defender than you think. And the 76ers showed some resilience.

Those three things stood out in the Sixers' 118-114 overtime win over the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday.

Overcoming bad decisions

With the Sixers trailing 100-97 with 1 minute, 42 seconds left in regulation, Nurse received a technical foul for yelling at an official about a possible shot clock violation.

Then, with the Sixers up by two points with five seconds left in overtime, Martin Tyrese fouled Haliburton, sending him to the finish line.

In both cases, the Sixers avoided disaster because the Pacers missed free throws.

“I was just trying to figure out that they had the ball for 23 seconds,” said Nurse, the Sixers coach, “and how a mistake by their shot-clock guy gives them the ball with another overtime, extra playing time. “…I don't know, the same thing happened to us a few times. I can't remember ever having a situation where you had more time and the team could get back to where they started, even after dribbling for five seconds.”

But Haliburton missed the technical foul shot that would have given the Pacers a four-point lead and kept the ball.

The Sixers managed to fight back and take a three-point lead late before Haliburton forced overtime with 3.5 seconds left. Then Martin made his mental mistake after Tyrese Maxey hit two shots, giving the Sixers a 116-114 lead in the final seconds of overtime.

But Haliburton missed the first free throw before intentionally missing the second. Martin made amends by grabbing the rebound before being fouled by Haliburton.

Maxey iced the game with two free throws.

“Of course I knew it wasn’t one of the smartest plays I’d ever made,” Martin said. “I think I already had it in my head that Tyrese did two of them. It was just a brain fart game or whatever. It was a play that can't happen. But yeah, you learn from that when you get back into the swing of things after a few games.

“I’m glad we got this.”

Drummond's defense

Drummond is known as an elite rebounder and rim-running star. However, he pulled off a huge stealth gain on consecutive possessions late in the game.

With the Sixers trailing 102-101, he stole the ball from Andrew Nembhard. The play led to a layup by Martin that gave Philly a 103-102 lead with 32.4 seconds left in regulation. Drummond then stole the ball from Haliburton with 19.4 seconds left.

“That's what I do. How long have you been a reporter? Drummond said to a reporter who has covered the NBA for more than 30 years. “You saw me play. That’s part of my game.”

He said timing is key to stealing the ball from guards.

“When the guards turn off (screens) and try to see what I'm going to do first, whether I'm going to be aggressive or not,” Drummond said, “as soon as they catch that lazy dribble, I go out there and try it.”

The 6-foot, 279-pound player finished the game with nine points, a game-high 17 rebounds and a block to go with his two steals.

The Sixers' show fight

This was a solid comeback performance for the undermanned Sixers.

They earned the thrilling win two days after a humiliating loss to the rebuilding and more undermanned Toronto Raptors.

“We’re going to fight,” said Kelly Oubre Jr. “We’re creating this identity. I think we did a better job tonight of following coach's game plan by being physical and stopping their initial transitions where they play fast.”

The Sixers also remained confident and continued to work hard, even when things weren't going well.

“We’re just staying resilient,” Oubre said.