3 observations after Sixers lose dramatic, arguable sport in Harden’s go back at first seemed on NBC Sports activities Philadelphia
James Harden’s first sport again in Philadelphia since being traded from the Sixers had no scarcity of drama.
Down 108-107 to the Clippers with 5.1 seconds left, the Sixers gained a soar ball at heart court docket. Kelly Oubre Jr. drove into the paint and got here up empty, although he Sixers head trainer Nick Nurse had been incredulous that no foul used to be referred to as at the play.
Nurse used to be livid after the overall whistle and didn’t dangle again in expressing his displeasure on the no-call.
In spite of everything, the Sixers dropped to 39-34 this season and the Clippers stepped forward to 45-27.
Tyrese Maxey posted 26 issues, 8 assists and 7 rebounds.
Paul George used to be the Clippers’ most sensible scorer with 22 issues. Harden had 16 issues and 14 assists.
The Sixers had been down Joel Embiid (left knee meniscus process), De’Anthony Melton (lumbar backbone bone rigidity) and Robert Covington (left knee bone bruise).
Nurse mentioned pregame that he thinks there’s “an excellent chance (Embiid) will go back ahead of the play-in, playoffs.”
As for Covington, Nurse mentioned the 33-year-old ahead has been “making some development.” He referred to as Melton “now not as shut but,” however Nurse mentioned he used to be nonetheless hopeful each Covington and Melton would additionally go back ahead of the belief of the steady season.
The Sixers now have 9 regular-season video games left. They’ll play 5 in their subsequent six at the highway, beginning with a matchup Friday evening towards the Cavaliers.
Listed below are observations on their loss Wednesday:
Sixers’ protection begins in most sensible tools
Nobody anticipated Harden would get a heat reception.
Certainly, he used to be booed loudly all over beginning lineup introductions and every time he touched the ball.
The ones boos shifted to cheers when Harden neglected his first two three-point tries and stuck a George cross together with his foot at the sideline. George and Kawhi Leonard had been off their video games early, too. The Clippers’ megastar trio blended to start out 0 for six from the sector.
The Sixers’ protection used to be exceptional within the first quarter, conserving the Clippers to 18 issues. The group’s talent to play bodily, strong protection in post-up and isolation eventualities with out fouling used to be particularly spectacular. Mason Plumlee used to be the one Clipper to try a unfastened throw within the opening quarter.
Past forged 1-on-1 paintings, the Sixers had been additionally sturdy with regards to serving to each and every different out and executing Nurse’s schemes. The Sixers compelled a Clippers shot clock violation on a ownership the place they shaded assist towards a brief Leonard vs. Maxey mismatch within the publish after which scrambled round successfully past due within the shot clock. Subsequent time down, Oubre drew an offensive foul towards George.
At the different finish, Maxey used to be in truth the closing Sixers starter to attain a sport after he’d posted his group’s first 16 issues in Sacramento. He hit a tricky finger roll on the first-quarter buzzer to position the Sixers up 30-18.
Maxey‘s presence much-needed
Maxey went the primary quarter-hour and exhibited remarkable defensive power on the tail finish of that stint.
Although Harden transformed a four-point play on him, Maxey made a variety of sure defensive performs. For example, he averted Russell Westbrook from gaining any separation on a force, caught to him tightly, and rejected his shot.
Maxey’s effort used to be tone-setting. The Sixers outhustled the Clippers within the first part, regularly beating L.A. to free balls and offensive rebounds. Regardless of capturing 4 for 17 from three-point vary within the first part, the Sixers held the merit at intermission.
On the other hand, that lead used to be most effective 4 issues. Cameron Payne couldn’t reflect his super trip Sunday within the Sixers’ win over the Clippers and L.A. discovered a little bit of momentum with Maxey out. George and Leonard nonetheless couldn’t get heading in the right direction, however Harden scored a few buckets in transition, together with an and-one layup and a 3. He drove and kicked the ball out to Amir Coffey for a wide-open triple at the Clippers’ closing play of the primary part.
When Embiid’s wholesome and the Sixers are in a detailed contest, it continuously turns out that everybody is counting down the seconds till he’ll sub again in. That’s now not unusual now with Maxey, who performed 44 mins Sunday and did the similar Wednesday evening. His presence has a tendency to be essential.
Leonard hauls Clips to win down stretch
Predictably, George canned a few three-pointers early within the 3rd quarter and the Clippers took a 56-55 lead.
The Sixers spoke back with a 6-0 run that integrated a Mo Bamba tip-in and a Bamba layup. The massive guy posted his first double-double as a Sixer, tallying 12 issues and 11 rebounds.
Good friend Hield additionally stepped up past due within the 3rd quarter, making two threes and a riding layup at a level when the Sixers sorely had to lighten the offensive burden on Maxey. The Sixers’ All-Megastar guard delivered some big-time shotmaking as smartly, hopefully dealing with a number of defenders and coverages.
Nonetheless, the Clippers remained high-powered and threatening. Harden tossed a long-distance cross as much as Leonard for a dunk that reduce the Sixers’ result in 91-89.
The Sixers’ position avid gamers in the long run chipped in a excellent quantity round Maxey. Nicolas Batum made positive no person forgot he used to be additionally a part of that Harden deal, drilling two huge nook threes and blockading the 10-time All-Megastar’s layup strive within the fourth quarter.
Nonetheless, the sport remained tight and stressful. Maxey slipped on a sideline out-of-bounds play with 61 seconds left, resulting in a Sixers turnover. They coughed the ball up on their subsequent inbounds play as smartly, and each miscues harm.
Leonard made an and-one layup to position the Clippers up 105-104. Following a Hield 3, the two-time Finals MVP by hook or by crook did it once more.
With the sport at the line, Oubre drove on Leonard and noticed his layup strive pinned between the rim and backboard. The officers upheld that decision upon assessment, which set the level for the dramatic, arguable ultimate collection.