Los Philadelphia 76erssin Joel Embiid and therefore with another season that feeds the catastrophic narrative that has accompanied it since the times of Allen Iversonthey turned their miseries into virtues to declare with a corrective in every sense (107-121) the state of emergency in Los Angeles Clippersthat team that looks so worryingly different after the All Star break. With a splendid collective performance with Tyrese Maxey y Tobias Harris leading the show -24 points-, Philadelphia gave almost no option to the Clippers without Russell Westbrook with James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George but for whom all their arguments have suddenly turned against them.
The fears that loomed over the team Tyronn Lue, 8-9 since the All-Star weekend break, are starting to come true. Above all, those that pointed to the ability to maintain consistency on the part of a very veteran roster and the ability of James Harden to take the reins of the Los Angeles team.
Without punch or spark to crack the granite defenses of the Sixers designed by Nick Nurse -one of the most changing and innovative coaches on the defensive side-, Kawhi Leonard was left with 20 points, Paul George with 18 and a brilliant James Harden in the direction with 14 assists and only 2 turnovers but little sharp at the start. when it comes out of direct lock.
The ‘Beard’ left 5/13 in field goals and 0/6 in triples, showing his irregularity from the start. perimeter, something that will not be overlooked by others facing the playoffs when it comes to deploying defenses against the former Sixers. However, the image of lack of energy and conviction that the Clippers now suffer was illustrated by Paul George, blocked by Kelly Oubre Jr. on a counterattack when he had everything in his favor to score.
The vigor of Oubre Jr in that action reflected at the same time that of Philly, who strive to give Joel Embiid the best possible outlook within what is possible with the unwavering hope that the Cameroonian will return even before the playoffs, to the that right now Nurse’s team would have to enter via play-in, eighth with 38-32 but close to sixth position, occupied by the Pacers con 40-31.
Tyrese Maxey, learning to be that star that makes the team shine in the absence of the main one, embodied joy and speed with which Philly dismantled the Clippers, unattainable for the defense of the Los Angeles team with its 24 points -9/17 in field goals and 3/5 in triples-, and 6 assists.
Learning the ins and outs of being a game manager with Harden at his side, the outside of 23 years He read perfectly when to accelerate to bring Lue’s slow defense back in transition. Tobias Harris, with 24 points, was the other mainstay for the Pennsylvania team, while Cameron Payne helped the second unit maintain the level with his 23 points from the bench. Lue’s team tied in the third quarter after going 15 down in the second, but it was barely a mirage before the visitors escaped again.
The Sixers, who especially have to cling to the board now in the absence of Embiid, not only applied pressure to the Clippers’ first line, but also showed that they had everything studied with help that multiplied and controlling the movements outside the ball. Terance Mann, just 6 points in a poor production that Lue’s team noticed despite 20 points from Norman Powell from the second unit.
From becoming the alternative to the Nuggets champions in the West – and despite finishing fourth with a certain margin to go to the playoffs with their balance of 44-25 – the Clippers have become the unknown that is crumbling, accumulating defeats against the contenders for the ring.
At least, Paul George y Kawhi Leonard They are healthy for now and Russell Westbrook, who fractured his hand, is expected to return in the coming days. Given the indolence and melancholy that Harden, Leonard and George project, someone like Russ is needed to rally the staff.
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2024-03-24 22:35:08
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