Game Recap – Philadelphia 76ers @ Los Angeles Clippers

January 2, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) moves to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

77. Final. 99. 93. 130

It Wasn’t Pretty, Yet When The Philadelphia 76ers Fell, Nik Stauskas Did Not

It was a game of one quarter and three quarters. In that first quarter, the 76ers actually led by five as they shot 50 percent from the floor and owned a 16-2 edge in the paint. It was a final 25 foot trey from Austin Rivers that placed the Clippers ahead just as the first quarter ended. But the Sixers kept it close until midway through the second, when they trailed by three. It was not to be, as the Clippers went on a 26-12 run to end the first half, and cruised for the rest of the game. The final score was not close, with the Clippers sailing to a 130-99 victory.

So what was less ugly about this loss?

The Philadelphia 76ers were playing their second night in a row, and against a formidable Los Angeles team. So it would make sense that they would be fatigued, make mental mistakes, and overall simply not play well. But they surprised me in some ways. No player on the Sixers team made more than two turnovers, and the team actually remained at 12 turnovers for the game. A very good Clippers team made 14 turnovers. The Sixers had their fast break again, scoring 24 points on their fast breeak to the Clippers 22. In fact, the Sixers scored 54 of their points in the paint, while the Clippers only scored 48.

The difference was simply that this was the Clippers night. Led by DeAndre Jordan‘s 22 points, the Clippers shot 60.5% from the floor and 52.2% from the perimeter. That’s just tough to beat. on any night.

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The Sixers were not without their own version of hot hands on this night. Center Jahlil Okafor, coming in off the bench, scored 23 points to lead everyone with his 10 of 14 shooting from the floor. Joining him in double digits was starting center Nerlens Noel, who finished with 13 points on 6 of 9 shooting from the floor. But the story of the night was the rejuvination of the hot sauce himeself, Nik Stauskas. His 6 of 8 shooting on treys carried him to 18 points on the night. Even the wily veteran Carl Landry broke the double digit barrier but putting 11 points up on the scoreboard in a losing cause. But this was a game when the Sixers were outgunned.

Brett Brown tried his best to experiment, playing Noel at center in the first half. He switched back to Okafor at center and Noel at the power forward in the second half. Neither combination could gain the advantage against this Clippers small ball attack.

"You are always trying to talk about communication with pick-and-rolls. The two of them (Noel and Okafor) are growing, trying to communicate where the pick-and-rolls are. You are always talking about if those two big men have a chance of playing together, it’s always about space.” – Brett Brown"

Player of the Game

It made you feel good to see what Nik Stauskas can do with that artillery. His shots rained down, and kept this game from being a completely embarrassing loss. His eighteen points tied his season high with the Sixers, where he also scored eighteen on November 7th against the Orlando Magic. But needed 15 shots to score on that day, and only ten shots against the Clippers.

The night was not without its concerning areas. Guard Isaiah Canaan virtually disappeared in this game, going 0 of 5 from the floor and contributing zero points. This was his second scoreless game of the season, and illustrates the challenge of the team to get something from everyone on the same night. Another disappearing act was the two point contribution from Robert Covington. His initial numbers after returning from injury were very promising, but since a ten point performance on December 16 against the Atlanta Hawks, Covington has only scored in double digits once in the past nine games, and that was a ten point performance against the Los Angeles Lakers.

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It was not a good night from our point guards. The combination of T.J. McConnell, Ish Smith, and Kendall Marshall shot a combined 3 of 19 from the floor. They did however combine for 20 assists on the evening.

Looking Ahead

The Philadelphia 76ers are coming home to host the Minnesota Timberwolves to start a six-game home stand. After the Timberwolves, the Sixers host the Atlanta Hawks, the Toronto Raptors, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Chicago Bulls, and finally the Portland Trailblazers.