By: Kylan Watson

After going one-and-three on their last West Coast Road trip of the regular season, the Philadelphia 76ers faced the Los Angeles Clippers in James Harden’s return to Philly. Both of these teams traded blows throughout this game, and two and-one buckets, and free throws made by Kawhi Leonard were the difference in this contest. As the Clippers beat the Sixers 108-107.

The Philadelphia 76ers found their offensive rhythm once again as they cashed in on the high percentage shots created off their ball movement. That put the Clippers on their heels early in this contest and they had no answers to what the Sixers were doing throughout the game. The trio of Tyrese Maxey (26 points), Kelly Oubre Jr. (17 points), and Buddy Hield (17 points) combined for 60 of Philly’s 107 points. Hield had one of his best games in a while in a Sixers uniform, he turned it on in the third quarter to help keep Philly ahead in this contest. Additionally, he hit a late-game three-pointer to help the Sixers stay ahead in this contest. If he can bring the scoring prowess he found tonight into the next nine games. Philly will be in great shape to get out of eighth place in the loaded Eastern Conference.

Despite the scoring explosion from the Sixers, the Clippers weathered the storm and made their move in the fourth quarter as their shots finally found the bucket. They were able to retake the lead late in the fourth quarter thanks to Kawhi Leonard (17 points) making a lay-up and a free throw. This game really turned with a combination of bad Sixers turnovers and some bad calls by the referees which gave the Clippers life in this game. Philly dominated this game throughout this contest on both sides of the ball. They played aggressive enough defense to keep Leonard in check,  but late in the quarter he found his killer instinct and made a pivotal block in this game to steal a victory from the Sixers.

The Sixers will now prepare to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. This is one of those games that Philly has to win against a team who they have previously beaten multiple times this season. They will need to continue to cash in on their high-percentage shooting opportunities created off their ball movement like they did tonight. Additionally, they will need to stay attached to their man and not allow Cleveland to get more than one opportunity to make a basket. If they can implement these things into their game plan on Friday, they can get their 40^th victory of the season and make a statement as the regular season comes to an end in the next few weeks.