James Harden gets even as Los Angeles Clippers defeat Philadelphia 76ers 108-107

The Los Angeles Clippers narrowly defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 108-107 heartbreakingly as Philadelphia declined to 39-34 on the season and remains in 8th place in the Eastern Conference.

Clippers’ big three too much for 76ers

Paul George led the Clippers in scoring with a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds. Kawhi Leonard wasn’t far behind with 17 points and 9 rebounds with 10 of his 17 points coming from the 4th quarter. Los Angeles’ forward duo put immense pressure on the rim that the 76ers simply couldn’t contain in single coverage nor with help defense as Leonard routinely got to the bucket and drew contact in crunch time.

KAWHI LEONARD WITH BACK-TO-BACK CLUTCH AND-1s.

Clippers back up 1. 15.7 to go on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/6EcMSkB6Db

— NBA (@NBA) March 28, 2024

James Harden got even with Daryl Morey and the 76ers contributing 16 points and 14 assists. Harden masterfully collapsed the defense off-rim penetration from self-creation and the pick-and-roll with Zubac. Harden found Zubac rolling to the rim and created perimeter shots for spot-up shooters like Mann and Coffey.

The Clippers scored just 18 points in the 1st quarter due to a stagnant offense solely consisting of Harden’s ball-dominant possessions and a lack of off-ball motion for George and Leonard, who was nicely contained by Tobias Harris off the point-of-attack. Los Angeles got dominated off the glass on both ends and gave up a plethora of 2nd chance opportunities to Mo Bamba, who notched 12 points and 11 rebounds.

However, the Clippers intensified their defense with crisper rotations and anticipation and forced turnovers and as a result smoked the 76ers in transition in an effort led by Mann and Powell. Los Angeles slowly chipped away as the offensive creation from Harden, George, and Leonard was too much to handle for Philadelphia.

76ers’ top contributors

Tyrese Maxey contributed 26 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds on 9-20 shooting from the field. Maxey’s shot creation shined as he took defenders in Leonard and Mann off the dribble and quickly got his shots off with crafty dribble penetration. Maxey used ball screens and smoked Los Angeles’ drop coverage with perimeter shots and layups. Maxey read the floor well finding shooters like Harris and Hield in stride and creating weak-side looks for Batum off the pick-and-roll with Bamba. 

Buddy Hield caught fire in the second half scoring 15 of his 17 points in the final frames. Hield drilled a series of spot-up threes from around the key and drove to the rim off the point of attack. Kelly Oubre Jr. also contributed 17 points and 11 rebounds as Philadelphia missed his ability to attack the rim in Monday’s loss to Sacramento.

On the final possession of the game, Oubre bulldozed his way to the basket off a jump ball at center court and ran out of time to get what would’ve been a contested shot off as Harris and Batum were open in the opposing corners. That combined with a series of controversial officiating calls ripped a potentially huge win from the 76ers’ hearts.

"You're a bitch. You're a bitch. You're a bitch."

– Kelly Oubre to all 3 officials at the end of the gamepic.twitter.com/dqXMEkak1k

— Barstool Philly (@BarstoolPhilly) March 28, 2024

The 76ers will look to bounce back on Friday at 7:30 p.m. EST against the Cleveland Cavaliers with Donovan Mitchell potentially returning from multiple injuries.

Mandatory Credit: (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)