By: Kylan Watson

After falling to the Boston Celtics on Thursday night, the Philadelphia 76ers faced the Brooklyn Nets tonight for the season finale of their regular season matchup. Both teams battled throughout this game and a late Nic Claxton bucket helped Brooklyn beat Philly 105-103.

The Sixers once again found their offensive rhythm early in this game and were able to put points on the board early in this contest. Tyrese Maxey scored 31 points in this contest and was able to keep Philly in this game, Maxey finding his offensive rhythm again will be important for the rest of this season for the Sixers, especially with Joel Embiid (14 points) being significantly hampered because of his knee.

Despite Maxey’s scoring output the Nets were able to erase an early Philly lead thanks to Cam Johnson (23 points), Nic Claxton (16 points), and Trendon Watford (16 points). They combined for 55 of Brooklyn’s 105 points and Philly just had no answers for this trio. Especially Watford who was able to make multiple difficult shots to keep the Nets ahead in this contest. Philly did not have enough lengthy defenders to stop him in this contest. It took a superb defensive effort from Guerschon Yabusele to slow him down and help the Sixers come back in this game.

Thanks to a late three-pointer by Tyrese Maxey the Sixers were able to tie this game, and just when it looked like the game was heading to overtime. Philly’s lack of size on the court came back to bite them, as Claxton got a put back shot up that found the bottom of the net and that ended this game for the Sixers.

Philly’s best player throughout this season has been Yabusele and Nick Nurse needs to re-insert him into the starting lineup. He brings the best out of his teammates with his effort and energy. His incredible ability to cause turnovers helped Philly overcome a 17-point deficit in this game and retake the lead. The Sixers need as many difference makers as they can get in the starting lineup to dig themselves out of this hole.

As a result of this loss the Sixers are now in 12^th place in the Eastern Conference. With 26 games left in this season they need to start getting as many wins as possible. Nurse must put his best five players in the game and ride with those players because that is the only way they will be able to save this season.

The Sixers will now prepare to face the Chicago Bulls on Monday night and will have another chance to gain some momentum. Philly will need to cash in on high-percentage shooting opportunities created off their ball movement, force the Bulls to take difficult shots, and win or at least keep the rebounding battle competitive. Implementing these things into their game plan for Monday night should put the Sixers in a great position to win their 21^st game of the season and end their seven-game losing streak.