Game 50 (2-11-13): Sixers (22-27) vs. Clippers (36-17)

[sixer04fan]

VS.
Philadelphia 76ers - Los Angeles Clippers

Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Date: Monday, February 11th, 2013
Time: 7:00 PM EST

With Chris Paul returning to form in his last game, the Los Angeles Clippers look to end their Grammys road trip on a positive note.

It may not be easy, however, against a Philadelphia 76ers team that has gotten back on track during its eight-game homestand.

The Clippers will try to wrap up their season-long eight-game trip with back-to-back wins on Monday night when they visit the resurgent 76ers.

After losing three of its first four on the annual swing, Los Angeles (36-17) has won two of three -- including a 102-88 victory at New York on Sunday.

Jamal Crawford came off the bench to lead the way with 27 points on 12-of-22 shooting, while Blake Griffin contributed 17 and 12 rebounds for the Clippers.

In his second game back after missing 12 of the previous 14 because of a bruised right kneecap, Chris Paul added 25 and seven assists in 29 minutes against the Knicks.

"Jamal, Chris, Blake, I mean everybody, it was a team effort. Everybody stepped up at some point," coach Vinny Del Negro said.

Paul had a season-low three points on 1-of-5 shooting in 19 minutes in a 111-89 loss at Miami on Friday in his return after missing the previous nine.

His return doesn't bode well for the 76ers. Paul has averaged 24.5 points on 18-of-32 shooting in his last two trips to Philadelphia, including the game-winning jumper with 3.2 seconds left in a 78-77 win there last February.

The 76ers (22-27), though, have been tough on the defensive end while winning five of seven on their homestand, which concludes against the Clippers.

Philadelphia, who had dropped 10 of 13 prior to the homestand, has closed within three games of Milwaukee for eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

The 76ers held Charlotte to 30.7 percent shooting and 2-of-16 shooting from beyond the arc in an 87-76 victory on Saturday.

Philadelphia has limited their opponents to 76.3 points per game and a 35.3 field goal percentage -- including 9 for 55 (16.4 percent) shooting from 3-point range -- in its last four games.

The defensive effort has helped Philadelphia overcome its recent struggles offensively with starters Jason Richardson (knee) and Thaddeus Young (hamstring) out due to injuries.

Leading scorer Jrue Holiday and forward Lavoy Allen were bright spots on Saturday. Holiday had 20 points and seven assists on Saturday, while Allen stepped up with 14 points and a career-high 22 rebounds.

"I was a monster on the boards at Temple," Allen said. "It really was my game. All-time leading rebounder at Temple, by the way. Just want to throw that out there."

Nick Young has averaged 14.3 points in seven starts since taking over for Richardson, but has totaled 14 on 6-of-21 shooting in his last two.

The 76ers have scored 78.0 points per game while shooting 7 for 44 from 3-point range in their last three.

They'll try to get something going against the Clippers, who have held opponents to 27.3 shooting from beyond the arc in their last four wins. Teams, though, have hit 54.2 percent from long range in Los Angeles' last four losses.

While the 76ers have won six of nine in the series, the Clippers have taken two of three in Philadelphia.

Injury Report:

Philadelphia:
Jason Richardson, G: Out for Season (knee)
Thaddeus Young, F: Out (hamstring)
Andrew Bynum, C: Out (knee)

Los Angeles:
Caron Butler, F: Questionable (back)
Trey Thompkins, F: Out (knee)

[sixer04fan]

I'm going tonight. So pumped. - Made it to three games in this homestand... Knicks, Pacers, and this one. 1-1 so far in those games, hoping I see a winning record in person.

As for the game: Lob City vs. Spencer Hawes? What could possibly go wrong? I'm picturing Jordan and Blake soaring through the air like superheros against our front court haha. Damn, this could get ugly.

CP3 vs. Jrue will be a good matchup though. Looking forward to that the most.

[RickyPrior]

Lavoy needs a second good/great game in a row. Not sure if I'm banking on that happening, but he played well against them last year.

(Hawes didn't play.)

I was at that game last year. As I recall our three leading scorers that night were Elton, Iggy and Lou. Not so sure that helps us this year.

Chris Paul beat us at the end; and he torched Jrue...while hobbled no less. I see that changing a little, what-with Jrue's new and improved defense.

(Jrue was also 2-8 with 5 TO's. Dear God.)

Believe it or not...I'm counting on ET to make a difference in this one.

[SMH!]

Lavoy needs a second good/great game in a row. Not sure if I'm banking on that happening, but he played well against them last year.

(Hawes didn't play.)

I was at that game last year. As I recall our three leading scorers that night were Elton, Iggy and Lou. Not so sure that helps us this year.

Chris Paul beat us at the end; and he torched Jrue...while hobbled no less. I see that changing a little, what-with Jrue's new and improved defense.

(Jrue was also 2-8 with 5 TO's. Dear God.)

Believe it or not...I'm counting on ET to make a difference in this one.

Yea we need ET to show up.. Hopefully Nick Young makes a difference as well

[2-ONE-5]

Paul shoved Iggy clear as day last year to steal that W on our court. They played a kinda tihgt one yesterday in NY so hopefully this is a little bit of a letdown spot and we can take advantage.

[sixer04fan]

They played a kinda tihgt one yesterday in NY so hopefully this is a little bit of a letdown spot and we can take advantage.

That's what I'm hoping for.

But on the other hand... Nick Young is our 2nd best player, which means we're not good. And we just got demolished by the Pacers when they were playing their 3rd game in 3 nights. So all bets are off on us "taking advantage" of anything.

[2-ONE-5]

haha yea true. although Billups, Blake and CP3 are all coming off injuries so maybe they will take it easy or have slightly limited minutes. one can hope

[Fred]

this could get ugly...let's hope the ugly is for LA....

[urban85disciple]

Nvm.

[NewEraFt.ET12]

LOL marshall harris said lavoy can get 35.. combo of pts/reb/blks.

This could be an interesting game though, just gotta keep them in the half court

[NewEraFt.ET12]

i hope blake puts spencer on a poster

[NewEraFt.ET12]

Evan sucks dick

[SMH!]

Difference right now is they can actually hit their open shots..

[bholly]

John R. Finger ‏@jrfingerCSN
Sixers attempt their first FTs in the first quarter in four games. That's something …

.

[SMH!]

Evan Turner holy ****