After a rough shooting start in the first half, All-Star forwards Paul George and Kawhi Leonard erupt for a combined 39 points to help the LA Clippers storm back from a 15-point deficit to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers, 108-107.
Kawhi Leonard, Paul George Bounce Back from Rough Start
As the Sixers continue to rely on their "group effort" approach, the league's 9th-best scoring defense (112.1 PPG allowed) showed out once again with another defensive clinic. Philadelphia held LA to under 110, making it the 8th time this month in 15 games that they have held the opposing to 105 points or less.
This is especially notable when considering that the Clippers offense ranks just outside the top 10 in scoring this season (116.5 PPG) and the third-highest offensive rating in the league (118.9) behind only the Indiana Pacers (120.2) and the Boston Celtics (122.5).
This came down mainly to their ability to keep the two Clippers All-Stars, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard under control in the first half. In the first half alone, George and Leonard combined for 6 points on 2-of-14 shooting from the field, 1-of-3 from three.
On the other hand, the second half was a completely different ball game for two superstars.
George would regain his composure, knocking down a handful of timely threes to help lift him to finish with 22 points and ten rebounds while hitting 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. George would also make one of the biggest defensive plays of the game, forcing a key turnover on Kelly Oubre in the final minute of the game that would lead to a Leonard and-1 to that would later end up being the game-winning basket.
Speaking of Leonard, he did not have the most efficient finish, but he made key play after key play in the 4th quarter to help mount this comeback. Leonard finished the night with only 17 points and nine rebounds but had ten of those points in the 4th quarter and had the game sealing block on Kelly Oubre on the final possession.
Harden Plays Well in Return to Philly
With this being James Harden's first game in the Wells Fargo Center since the 2023 NBA Playoffs, many wondered how the ten-time All-Star guard would approach his return to the city of "Brotherly Love."
But despite understanding how his departure may not invite the warmest of welcomes from the hostile Philadelphia crowd, Harden seemed unbothered when speaking on the matter on Monday ahead of the matchup citing that there are more important things on his mind. "We have bigger problems than me worrying about Philadelphia, you know what I mean?" Harden told reporters.
Well in leu of the roaring crowd erupting with boos and chants every moment he touched the ball throughout the game, Harden continued to maintain his unphased approach and calmed any potential nerves early. Harden opened up the game with a team-high 11 points along with six assists, a steal and a block to keep the Clippers within striking distance, cutting Philly's early 15-point lead down to four heading into halftime. But in the second half, he was much quieter, scoring only five points the rest of the way to finish the game with 16 points and 14 assists.
Sixers Supporting Shows Up Big Time
Tyrese Maxey will of course be a lead headline for the Sixers after finishing the night with a game-high 26 points along with seven rebounds and eight assists. But for the majority of this game, Philadelphia's supporting players also shined under the bright lights. The team finished with four of their five starters finishing in double figures including Kelly Oubre and Mo Bamba, who each notched double-doubles. Oubre finished the game with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Bamba added 12 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks in 18 minutes. This was Bamba's first double-double as a member of the Sixers and his first double-double since Feb. 23, 2023, back when he was with the Lakers. Buddy Hield was also big off the bench for the Sixers, adding 17 points of his own including a big three late in the game.
The Sixers are still without reigning league MVP Joel Embiid, who still does not have a timetable for his return from the knee injury that has sidelined him since he last played on Jan. 30. But Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse did seem relatively optimistic about the big man's progress when speaking with reporters on Wednesday.
"I think there's a very good likelihood that he will return before the play-in, playoff," Nurse said.
Robert Covington and De'Anthony Melton also were ruled out of this game. Covington (knee) has now missed his 41st consecutive game, but he has been participating in on-court activities. Melton, on the other hand, is still "not close yet" according to Nurse as he is still dealing with lumbar spine bone stress.
Up Next: The LA Clippers continue their four-game road trip at the Kia Center where they will take on the Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic on Friday, March 29th at 7 pm.
The Philadelphia 76ers start their brief road trip against the Darius Garland and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Friday, March 29th at 7:30 pm
Photo: @NBSCPhilly/X
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