GRADES: Sixers hold on against red-hot Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers arrived in Philadelphia on a seven-game win streak. They were without their perennial All-Star, Kawhi Leonard, due to a sore foot, but the Sixers were without several key players as well. With no Seth Curry, Tobias Harris, and Dwight Howard, multiple Sixer reserves would need to step up.

The start of the first quarter saw the Sixers jump out to a big lead. With Joel Embiid taking charge in the paint, every time he touched the ball, the team scored efficiently. Early on, The Sixers All-Star center got a nice assist from Ben Simmons after a steal. With 3-pointers from Korkmaz, Scott, and Danny Green, Philadelphia took a commanding 20-3 lead. That lead would dwindle though once a few Clippers got hot.

Rajon Rondo, not known for his perimeter scoring, hit two 3-pointers from the parking lot, and Paul George took it upon himself to put the team’s offense on his back, being aggressive and getting to the rim. That aggression would be thwarted a few times thanks for some stingy Sixers defense.

Ben Simmons and Matisse Thybulle swarmed the ball as usual, and they accounted for several deflections, blocks, and steals in the first half. On one play, Simmons showed exactly why he deserves DPOY. After poking the ball away at the top of the key, he recovered defensively and blocked a 3-point shot in the corner in the same sequence. Thybulle also swatted a 3-pointer out of bounds, and he was able to swipe the ball for a key steal in the first half.

When the 76ers came out in the second half, they held a 12-point lead. They Clippers ate into that lead immediately though. With Paul George taking lead, and Patrick Patterson staying hot from beyond the arc, the visiting team cut the lead to single digits quickly. If not for Furkan Korkmaz hitting two early 3’s and hitting Embiid for a nice pick-and-roll basket, the 76ers would have been in worse shape.

L.A. seemed to come to life, figuring out ways to make Embiid really work for his points. Simmons, Scott, and Milton struggled on offense, hitting a wall offensively and turning the ball over. Embiid had to carry the team in the third quarter, getting to the line multiple times to maintain their slight lead. Going into the fourth quarter, a nice stop by Thybulle on George helped pause the momentum that L.A. had going.

Korkmaz started the fourth with a 3-pointer, as the Sixers tried to build their lead with George on the bench. Embiid was on the bench, too, while Doc Rivers relied on Simmons to execute the offense. Unfortunately for Philly, Patrick Patterson turned into Ray Allen, knocking down 3-pointers like he was unconscious. Paul George did not sit long and picked up where he left off.

The Sixers struggled to contain George, who had 30 points going into the final quarter, so Philly had to go to their most dominant player to match George’s scoring binge. Embiid got to the line at will and stretched a marginal lead that seemed unsafe any time PG-13 touched the rock. With under a minute, the Sixers’ lead was only five.

After a turnover trying to feed Embiid, Ben Simmons redeemed himself, making a great outlet pass to Korkmaz, who then converted a layup and converted the 3-point-play with a made foul shot.

The Sixers could not put the Clippers away with a two-possession lead, giving up a lob dunk on an out of bounds play and an open 3-point shot on the next play. With 20 seconds left, Philadelphia had to try and close out the game with caution.

Philly inbounded the ball, played keep-away, and forced L.A. to foul. Thanks to a pair of Danny Green free throw makes, the 76ers held a 3 point lead under 10 seconds. During a nice defensive stand on the last play, Morris took a contested 3-pointer and missed. Thus, the game ended in dramatic fashion, but the Sixers ended the Clippers’ winning streak.

Grades from the Sixers’ dramatic win over the red-hot LA Clippers.

36 mins | 36 pts | 14 reb | 1 ast | 1 stl | 0 blk | 2 TO | 10-20 FG | 0-3 3PT| 16-18 FT | 1 PF | +7

The Sixers’ All-Star center asserted himself early, drawing double teams and executing on offense as usual. He got Zubac in foul trouble early and held his opponent scoreless in the first half. This is another game where his value was shown in the clutch moments of a game. Embiid steadily compiles reason upon reason why he deserves to be the league MVP.

36 mins | 12 pts | 9 reb | 6 ast | 2 stl | 2 blk | 3 TO | 5-9 FG | 0-0 3PT| 2-5 FT | 4 PF | +9

The Sixers’ All-Star point guard made sure to back up the words from his interview with Rachel Nichols and GQ Magazine with a stellar defensive performance against the Clippers. The most important play of the night saw Simmons prevent Paul George from even getting the chance to take the game-tying shot. Simmons provided a huge boost on defense throughout the game.

38 mins | 18 pts | 3 reb | 4 ast | 3 stl | 0 blk | 0 TO | 6-15 FG | 5-12 3PT| 1-1 FT | 2 PF | +3

Korkmaz stepped up and gave Philly much needed offense in the absence of Tobias Harris. His shooting spread the floor for Embiid, and the Turkish sensation helped stop some Clipper runs with some timely shots. He even had three steals to show balance in this game. Should Harris miss another game, Korkmaz will have to step up again to help Embiid put points on the board.

20 mins | 9 pts | 2 reb | 2 ast | 1 stl | 0 blk | 4 TO | 3-7 FG | 2-4 3PT| 1-2 FT | 5 PF | +2

The first few quarters seemed more productive for Milton, who came out firing and scored key baskets to establish an early lead. He lost his way though as the game progressed, getting five fouls after three quarters and playing out of control. This was not Milton’s best game, and his struggles proved this to be true.

16 mins | 9 pts | 1 reb | 3 ast | 0 stl | 0 blk | 1 TO | 4-7 FG | 1-2 3PT| 0-0 FT | 0 PF | -2

Maxey was a spark off the bench when Philly needed a jolt of energy. His quick burst and drives to the lane produced some needed buckets throughout the game. He stepped into a nice 3-point shot that swished through the net on an assist from Simmons. The rookie was aggressive whenever he had a chance to penetrate. A nice game in limited reserve minutes for the young Sixers guard.

The Sixers have a chance to extend their win streak to five against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night, 7:30 PM ET. This is another nationally televised game and can be watched in ESPN.