After losing to Toronto only a night earlier, the 76ers welcomed the Thunder to the Wells Fargo Center for a Saturday night game. Kevin Durant was the obvious difference maker in this contest, putting up a triple-double while the 76ers struggled to find their shot. The Sixers (14-30) would lose 103-91.
The Sixers struggled with their shot early in the game but 2 free-throws from Turner tied it up at 26 at the end of the opening quarter. Ibaka started hot, scoring 12 points in the 1st for the Thunder. The Sixers kept it competitive, until KD shook his rust off and OKC began to pull away with 7 minutes left in the half. Philly's shooting woes worsened, missing from long range and getting denied at the rim as they shot a pathetic 31.4% in the first half. OKC hit 50% of their 1st half shots. Yet still, the Sixers only trailed 53-44 at halftime. ET led the Sixers with 12 points and Durant led the Thunder with 18 at the break.
The Thunder extended their lead to as much as 13 in the 3rd but Spencer Hawes helped Philly rattle off 9 unanswered points 6 minutes into the 2nd half to cut their deficit to only 4 (69-65). Unfortunately, they could not tie it up as the Thunder would re-build their double-digit lead by the end of the period. Kevin Durant completed his triple double, picking up his 10th assist, in the final quarter of play. A three-pointer from James Anderson brought the Sixers within 9 in the final 3 minutes. However, Philly would only hit 1 more shot in the game, continuing to struggle against the solid OKC defense. The 76ers dropped their 3rd straight home game, 103-91.
Not a single Sixer had a stand-out game, yet they managed to not get blown out by one of the most dangerous teams in the NBA. Anderson led the team with 19 points but only hit 1 of 7 from downtown. Thad Young put up extremely impressive defensive stats, finishing with 8 steals and 10 rebounds (only 4 defensive). Young scored 13 points on a not-so-impressive 5 of 17 FG. Turner scored 15 points and handed out 6 assists while Hawes added 14 points. The Sixers shot an ugly 37.8% but had 19 offensive rebounds, giving them plenty of second chance shots.
Despite missing Friday's game, Kevin Durant had a huge impact for OKC. Durant came into the contest on an absolute tear offensively and this performance made it 10 straight games with 30+ points, as he finished with 32. KD grabbed 14 boards and helped with 10 assists as the Sixers allowed their second straight triple-double. Lowry ended with 18 points, 13 assists, and rebounds in Philly on Friday. Serge Ibaka also had a huge impact, ending with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots. Sefolosha added 11 points and Collison has 12 off the bench.
The Sixers will play the surprising Phoenix Suns(24-18) on Monday. Philly lost in Phoenix 115-101 in late December.
By: Matt Ryan
The Thunder extended their lead to as much as 13 in the 3rd but Spencer Hawes helped Philly rattle off 9 unanswered points 6 minutes into the 2nd half to cut their deficit to only 4 (69-65). Unfortunately, they could not tie it up as the Thunder would re-build their double-digit lead by the end of the period. Kevin Durant completed his triple double, picking up his 10th assist, in the final quarter of play. A three-pointer from James Anderson brought the Sixers within 9 in the final 3 minutes. However, Philly would only hit 1 more shot in the game, continuing to struggle against the solid OKC defense. The 76ers dropped their 3rd straight home game, 103-91.
Not a single Sixer had a stand-out game, yet they managed to not get blown out by one of the most dangerous teams in the NBA. Anderson led the team with 19 points but only hit 1 of 7 from downtown. Thad Young put up extremely impressive defensive stats, finishing with 8 steals and 10 rebounds (only 4 defensive). Young scored 13 points on a not-so-impressive 5 of 17 FG. Turner scored 15 points and handed out 6 assists while Hawes added 14 points. The Sixers shot an ugly 37.8% but had 19 offensive rebounds, giving them plenty of second chance shots.
Despite missing Friday's game, Kevin Durant had a huge impact for OKC. Durant came into the contest on an absolute tear offensively and this performance made it 10 straight games with 30+ points, as he finished with 32. KD grabbed 14 boards and helped with 10 assists as the Sixers allowed their second straight triple-double. Lowry ended with 18 points, 13 assists, and rebounds in Philly on Friday. Serge Ibaka also had a huge impact, ending with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots. Sefolosha added 11 points and Collison has 12 off the bench.
The Sixers will play the surprising Phoenix Suns(24-18) on Monday. Philly lost in Phoenix 115-101 in late December.
By: Matt Ryan