Philadelphia 76ers Robert Covington Kemba Killer, oh what a night!

Unsung hero Robert Covington delivered one of the best single game performances of the season, helping the Philadelphia 76ers to their 35th win of the season

The Philadelphia 76ers are deep in the hunt for a playoff spot now. As the season ticks down, each game’s individual significance grows larger and larger – like the shadows of forest trees as the sun sets. On the second of a four game road trip, the 76ers were reeling from a heartbreaking loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. The team needed to win at Charlotte.

At a critical stretch in the season, a pair of road losses would dishearten the playoff hopes of the team.  Win, and build some momentum back to press on. Lose, and a two-game losing streak would land the team in the midst of a lowing streak at the worst possible time. The team  needed a hero. One player to step up. One contributer to deny the Hornets or score for Philly. Apparently, that is all small forward Robert Covington needed to know.

Covington delivered career game

This was not just any ole game. It was a rematch against the same team in just four days. Four days previous, PG Kemba Walker torched the Philadelphia 76ers for 31 points in 38 minutes. And this game found the 76ers limping in dazed after a shocking loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Shocking in that the 76ers held seperate 20 point and 19 point leads in the game, only to lose by a disappointing 118-110 final score.

So heading to Charlotte, the Philadelphia 76ers did not want a repeat performance.  Charlotte had lost their three previous contests, but to the finest teams of the NBA Eastern Conference. Losses at Boston, Philadelphia, and Toronto had dealt a serious blow to Charlotte’s own hopes for post-season play. Now, with the team at home, Hornets’ fans hoped familiar settings would help the team turn it around.