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Sixers Drop ‘Ping Pong Bowl’ to Lakers in OT

Monday was Fan Appreciation Night at The Center, and while a some fans were treated to everything from gift cards to a 50-inch plasma television, all in attendance witnessed a resiliently competitive effort by Philadelphia.

The Sixers pushed the Lakers to the brink, but Los Angeles captured a 113-111 victory in overtime. After L.A.’s Jordan Clarkson made two clutch free throws with 11.1 seconds left in regulation to tie up the game and Ish Smith saw what would have been a game-winning layup rim out, the game was pushed to OT.

Overtime played out much like the first four quarters of regulation had, with the two squad’s trading blows back and forth. Once again, it came down to the final possession, but this time the Lakers had the final chance to win. Wayne Ellington found a Jordan Clarkson on a backdoor cut with less than a second left to take the lead, and there wasn’t enough time left for the Sixers to return fire.

“I sit back and look at what we’ve done. You go to Cleveland and hold someone to 87 points, and you close out a Denver Nuggets team by holding them to nine points on their home court,” head coach Brett Brown said of the team’s play over the last week. Just look at the effort that the guys give on the defensive side of the ball, and I don’t have much more to say. We had a bad second quarter giving up 34 points but short of that we competed.”

Nerlens Noel has been pacing the Sixers for the better part of two months, and Monday night was no different. The 20-year-old center recorded his 17th double-double on the season, notching 19 points and 14 rebounds to go along with four assists, a block, and a steal. It was Noel’s fifth straight game with double digit rebounds and his fourth game out of those five with double-digit points.

The Sixers’ backcourt duo of Ish Smith and Isaiah Canaan combined for 35 points, six assists, and four steals, while Robert Covington added 12 points, and Thomas Robinson contributed 13 off the bench.

None of Robinson’s points were more exciting than a vicious one-handed slam on Robert Sacre of the Lakers with just under nine minutes left in regulation. Sacre found himself caught off-guard by Robinson’s bounce and then shocked when his attempt to foul Robinson went unnoticed, and T-Rob finished with authority for the three-point opportunity. His dunk tied the game at 81 and sparked a run for the Sixers.

Los Angeles was led by Jordan Clarkson, who has really come on as of late for the Lakers. He finished with a game-high 26 points on 9-for-15 shooting from the field. Jabari Brown and Wayne Ellington went for 20 and 22, respectively, while

swingman Wesley Johnson finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds for his first double-double of his season.

Inside the Numbers: 27

The Sixers’ final assist total on the evening was 27, the most the squad has recorded since a 32-assist outbreak on March 2. Every single Sixer who saw minutes recorded at least one assist, with Hollis Thompson leading the way with five.

Up Next

The Sixers begin a three-game road trip Wednesday that will see them out of town through the weekend. Their first stop is the nation’s capitol to take on the Washington Wizards. Tip is set for 7pm (EST).

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