By: Kylan Watson
After winning their first game in regulation of the 2024-25 NBA regular season, the Philadelphia 76ers faced the Los Angels Clippers for the season finale of their matchup. The Clippers jumped on the Sixers early in this contest and did not look back. They hit 12/30 three-pointers and beat Philly 125-99; this is the Sixers 13th loss of the season.
The Clippers found their offensive rhythm early in this game, they were able to hit their three-point attempts early and often in this contest. The Sixers had no answers for it. Their perimeter defense has left a lot to be desired throughout this season so far. That themed continued in this contest as multiple Clippers players were able to put up wide-open shots from beyond the arc without any defensive resistance. That cannot happen especially without Joel Embiid and Paul George on the court, the Sixers were one of the best defensive teams in the league last season and are now one of the worse defensive teams in the association so far this season. They have to figure out their defensive scheme or they will continue to struggle against contending teams throughout this season.
James Harden was a beneficiary of Philly’s horrible defensive play in this contest, he scored 12 of his 23 points in the first half and hit 3/7 of his three-point attempts. Harden was fouled three times at the three-point line and made Philly pay by hitting all of his free throw attempts. Whether he was scoring the ball or creating high-percentage opportunities for his teammates, Harden killed the Sixers throughout this game, and they had no answers for him.
On the offensive side it was not much better for the Sixers, once again they could not find the bottom of the net and Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain struggled against the Clippers lengthy defenders. They were not able to create the usual air space they get when hoisting up shots and it showed in this contest. Maxey and McCain combined for 35 of Philly’s 99 points and that is just not enough to beat good teams in this league. None of their teammates picked them up either as the Clippers outplayed Philly throughout this contest.
Philly’s inability to put points on the board has been one of the biggest weaknesses of the team this season. Tonight, they only hit 9/39 of their three-point attempts and that is just not good enough to win games.
When this team was constructed, the Sixers were looking for players who can consistently hit three-pointers to pair with Maxey, Embiid, and George. Those shooters have not appeared for Philly so far this season and they better appear soon because it is starting to get late in the season for the Sixers to start making some headway in the Eastern Conference.
Philly did get some good news before this game started as Paul George was able to participate in some aspects of their shootaround today and the swelling in Joel Embiid’s knee is starting to go down. With George scheduled to be re-evaluated tomorrow, Philly may be able to get him back by Wednesday or later in the week. Embiid will also be re-evaluated later in the week as well, however even with both of them getting ready to return. It will not mean a lot if the Sixers cannot either scheme their role players open or find somebody who can consistently hit shots and take advantage of the high-percentage shooting opportunities created by the Sixers trio.
Philly will prepare to face the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night, Houston is another young team with lengthy defenders to contend with. Philly will need to play a more stifling style of defense to contend with Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun. This duo can attack an opposing team from the perimeter and the paint. In addition, Philly will have to win the rebounding battle and cash in on the high-percentage shooting opportunities created off their ball movement. Adding these things into their game plan and executing it on Wednesday should put the Sixers in great position to win their fourth game of the season.
