With the 3-31 Philadelphia 76ers visiting the 6-27 Los Angeles Lakers,conceivably there could be only two outcomes: the matchup of two of the worst defensive teams would produce a high-scoring shootout or the matchup of two of the worst offensive teams would produce an ugly game. The latter scenario was played out to a tee on Friday night in Los Angeles, as the Sixers fell 93-84 to the hands of the Lakers in a game that didn’t exactly resemble “basketball” for all 48 minutes.
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The offense displayed in this game was fitting of that of the worst two teams in the NBA. Through three quarters neither team could gain much separation because of their respective inefficiencies on offense. After three quarters the Lakers led 72-70 with the largest lead of the game to that point from either team being six points. This was due to the poor shooting from sides, the Sixers knocked down just 32.8 percent of their shots with the Lakers not much better at 33.8 percent. Reminder: This was all without Kobe Bryant, who sat out of the game, and his 34 percent shooting percentage.
But in the fourth quarter the Lakers finally caught fire while scoring 31 points in the quarter on over 50 percent shooting from the floor and the Sixers simply couldn’t keep up. Former-Sixer Lou Williams notched 12 points in the quarter and led the Lakers final-quarter charge that pushed the lead to as many as 16 points.
Just two nights after scoring 110 points on over 42 percent shooting from the field, the Sixers scored just 84 points on 84 shots and failed to find any real groove on the offensive end. Isaiah Canaan and Nik Stauskas combined to shoot just 1-13 from beyond the arc and the Sixers as a team shot just 4-24. Also Ish Smith shot a whopping 3-19, yes 3 for 19, from the field while only dishing out three assists. In addition the Sixers committed 16 turnovers which just added to a frustrating night on offense.
Player of the Game
Nerlens Noel- 15 points, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks, 3 steals, 6-11 FG, 3-5 FT
Nerlens was really the only Sixer who was consistently solid on both ends of the court tonight. On offense, he was ever-so-active yet again whether it be on rolls to the rim or on the glass. On the defensive end he continued to protect the rim while also poking the ball away from the opposition on the perimeter. He also had the play of the game(see video below) where he fought for and got an offensive rebound over two Lakers players, who both wound up falling to the ground. Nerlens then dribbled and stepped over them, got fouled, and threw up a reverse lay-up while falling down all in one motion.
Through the first four games of this west-coast road trip (where he has logged essentially all of his minutes at the center position) Nerlens is averaging 16.8 points on 71.8 percent shooting, 9.5 rebounds, 3 steals, 2.5 blocks, and a 92.9 defensive rating. Even in losses, it is great to see Nerlens Noel playing active, fun basketball again.
Tweet of the Game
This is important to remember. The Sixers now gave a four-win lead over the Lakers for the worst record in the league. Also, the Lakers are now just two wins behind the Brooklyn Nets for the third-worst record and three wins behind the New Orleans Pelicans for the fourth-worst record. The Lakers pick is conveyed to the Sixers if it lands outside of the top-three in the lottery, so the more spots the Lakers move away from the worst record the higher chance the Sixers have of getting that pick. So c’mon Kobe, at least push the Lakers to the third worst record in the league by seasons end.
Play of the Game
Up Next
The Sixers will be back in the Staples Center tomorrow night for a matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET.