Game ID: 22301028
Philadelphia 76ers @ LA Clippers
Sunday, March 24, 2024 at 3:30 PM ET
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
LAC 29 27 27 24 107PHI 41 22 25 33 121
LAC vs PHI ScoutingLAC vs PHI Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
LAC availability going into 3/15 · back-to-backOUT Westbrook missed 7 since 3/03, out tonight
OUT Tucker missed 2 since 3/12, returns tonight: 24 min (161% of 15)
BACK Plumlee back 3/06 after 2, 8 min since (59% of 14)
BACK Boston back 3/10 after 4, 12 min since (116% of 10)
NEW Hyland 14 to 19 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 3/17 · 1 day's restOUT Harden missed 2 since 3/14, returns tonight: 36 min (103% of 35)
OUT Westbrook missed 8 since 3/03, out tonight
BACK Tucker back 3/10 after 5, 25 min since (165% of 15)
BACK Boston back 3/10 after 4, 12 min since (116% of 10)
NEW Hyland 14 to 22 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 3/20 · 2 days' restOUT Westbrook missed 9 since 3/03, out tonight
BACK Harden back 3/17 after 2, 36 min since (103% of 35)
BACK Tucker back 3/10 after 5, 23 min since (156% of 15)
BACK Boston back 3/10 after 4, 9 min since (93% of 10)
NEW Hyland 14 to 21 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 3/22 · 1 day's restOUT Powell missed 2 since 3/17, out tonight
OUT Westbrook missed 10 since 3/03, out tonight
BACK Harden back 3/17 after 2, 36 min since (103% of 35)
BACK Tucker back 3/15 after 2, 23 min since (156% of 15)
LAC availability going into 3/24 · 1 day's restOUT Powell missed 3 since 3/17, returns tonight: 25 min (93% of 26)
OUT Westbrook missed 11 since 3/03, out tonight
BACK Harden back 3/17 after 2, 36 min since (103% of 35)
BACK Tucker back 3/15 after 2, 20 min since (131% of 15)
LAC availability going into 3/25 · back-to-backOUT Westbrook missed 12 since 3/03, returns tonight: 18 min (82% of 22)
BACK Harden back 3/17 after 2, 36 min since (102% of 35)
BACK Powell back 3/24 after 3, 25 min since (93% of 26)
BACK Tucker back 3/15 after 2, 20 min since (131% of 15)
LAC availability going into 3/27 · 1 day's restBACK Harden back 3/17 after 2, 35 min since (101% of 35)
BACK Powell back 3/24 after 3, 28 min since (105% of 26)
BACK Westbrook back 3/25 after 12, 18 min since (82% of 22)
NEW Coffey 21 to 26 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 3/29 · 1 day's restOUT Theis missed 2 since 3/25, out tonight
OUT Boston missed 2 since 3/25, out tonight
BACK Powell back 3/24 after 3, 28 min since (107% of 26)
BACK Westbrook back 3/25 after 12, 18 min since (80% of 22)
NEW Coffey 21 to 26 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 3/31 · 1 day's restOUT Theis missed 3 since 3/25, out tonight
OUT Hyland missed 2 since 3/27, out tonight
OUT Boston missed 3 since 3/25, out tonight
BACK Powell back 3/24 after 3, 28 min since (105% of 26)
BACK Westbrook back 3/25 after 12, 18 min since (80% of 22)
PHI availability going into 3/16 · 1 day's restOUT Embiid missed 20 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Melton missed 8 since 3/01, out tonight
OUT Covington missed 34 since 1/02, out tonight
BACK Maxey back 3/12 after 4, 32 min since (85% of 38)
NEW Reed 19 to 26 min over the last 5
NEW Dowtin Jr. 12 to 17 min over the last 3
PHI availability going into 3/18 · 1 day's restOUT Embiid missed 21 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Melton missed 9 since 3/01, out tonight
OUT Covington missed 35 since 1/02, out tonight
OUT Dowtin Jr. missed 2 since 3/14, out tonight
BACK Maxey back 3/12 after 4, 35 min since (92% of 38)
NEW Reed 19 to 25 min over the last 5
NEW Bamba 13 to 21 min over the last 5
PHI availability going into 3/20 · 1 day's restOUT Embiid missed 22 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Harris missed 2 since 3/16, out tonight
OUT Melton missed 10 since 3/01, out tonight
OUT Covington missed 36 since 1/02, out tonight
OUT Dowtin Jr. missed 3 since 3/14, returns tonight: 12 min (102% of 12)
BACK Maxey back 3/12 after 4, 37 min since (96% of 38)
NEW Reed 19 to 24 min over the last 5
NEW Bamba 13 to 21 min over the last 5
PHI availability going into 3/22 · 1 day's restOUT Embiid missed 23 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Harris missed 3 since 3/16, returns tonight: 41 min (120% of 34)
OUT Melton missed 11 since 3/01, out tonight
OUT Covington missed 37 since 1/02, out tonight
BACK Maxey back 3/12 after 4, 35 min since (92% of 38)
BACK Dowtin Jr. back 3/20 after 3, 12 min since (102% of 12)
NEW Reed 19 to 24 min over the last 5
NEW Bamba 13 to 21 min over the last 5
PHI availability going into 3/24 · 1 day's restOUT Embiid missed 24 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Melton missed 12 since 3/01, out tonight
OUT Covington missed 38 since 1/02, out tonight
BACK Harris back 3/22 after 3, 41 min since (120% of 34)
BACK Dowtin Jr. back 3/20 after 3, 12 min since (102% of 12)
NEW Bamba 13 to 24 min over the last 5
PHI availability going into 3/25 · back-to-backOUT Embiid missed 25 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Melton missed 13 since 3/01, out tonight
OUT Covington missed 39 since 1/02, out tonight
BACK Harris back 3/22 after 3, 39 min since (116% of 34)
BACK Dowtin Jr. back 3/20 after 3, 12 min since (102% of 12)
NEW Bamba 13 to 24 min over the last 5
PHI availability going into 3/27 · 1 day's restOUT Embiid missed 26 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Melton missed 14 since 3/01, out tonight
OUT Covington missed 40 since 1/02, out tonight
BACK Harris back 3/22 after 3, 35 min since (102% of 34)
BACK Dowtin Jr. back 3/20 after 3, 12 min since (102% of 12)
NEW Bamba 13 to 21 min over the last 5
PHI availability going into 3/29 · 1 day's restOUT Embiid missed 27 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Melton missed 15 since 3/01, out tonight
OUT Covington missed 41 since 1/02, out tonight
OUT Dowtin Jr. missed 2 since 3/25, out tonight
BACK Harris back 3/22 after 3, 36 min since (105% of 34)
NEW Bamba 13 to 21 min over the last 5
NEW Martin 12 to 18 min over the last 4
PHI availability going into 3/31 · 1 day's restOUT Embiid missed 28 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Melton missed 16 since 3/01, out tonight
OUT Covington missed 42 since 1/02, out tonight
OUT Martin missed 2 since 3/27, returns tonight: 10 min (84% of 12)
OUT Dowtin Jr. missed 3 since 3/25, returns tonight: 5 min (41% of 12)
BACK Harris back 3/22 after 3, 35 min since (104% of 34)
NEW Bamba 13 to 21 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 111, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 21 free throws a game; George at 28 and Leonard at 25 a game. Without Powell (3 straight), Westbrook (11 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 104, shooting 43 percent and 34 from three, 19 free throws a game; Maxey at 25 and Oubre Jr. at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Embiid (24 straight), Melton (12 straight), Covington (38 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the arc, the Clippers at 40 percent from three to Philadelphia's 34 and the glass, where the Clippers have been minus-1 a night and Philadelphia minus-7. Call it the Clippers 113, Philadelphia 108.
3/15 @ NOP 104-112 — LAC notes
LAC lost 104-112. LAC shot 48% (37 of 77) to NOP's 48%, 12 of 33 from three. George led with 26 (10 of 21, 3 of 9 from three); Leonard added 23, Powell 15. Q3 was theirs, 36-32, the deficit cut from 6 to 2, but the other 3 periods went 80-68 against them. Coffey's -14 in 22 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/17 vs ATL 93-110 — LAC notes
LAC lost 93-110. LAC shot 38% (28 of 74) to ATL's 49%, 11 of 36 from three, and went to the line 29 times to ATL's 12 — 26 points from the stripe to their 11. Leonard led with 28 (8 of 17, 3 of 8 from three, 9 of 10 at the line); George added 26. Q4 was theirs, 31-22, the deficit cut from 26 to 17, but the other 3 periods went 88-62 against them. Zubac's -20 in 23 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/20 @ POR 116-103 — LAC notes
LAC won 116-103. LAC shot 52% (45 of 86) to POR's 48%, 13 of 31 from three. LAC turned it over 11 times to POR's 17. George led with 27 (10 of 18, 4 of 7 from three); Leonard added 24, Harden 19. The hinge was Q3, 34-20: a lead of 10 became 24, and the lead reached 27. George was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
3/22 @ POR 125-117 — LAC notes
LAC won 125-117. LAC shot 57% (44 of 77) to POR's 48%, 14 of 33 from three. LAC turned it over 17 times to POR's 10, and POR turned those into 11 steals. George led with 31 (10 of 14, 4 of 8 from three, 7 of 7 at the line); Leonard added 22, Mann 20. The hinge was Q1, 42-27: from level to 15 ahead, and the lead reached 26. George was the night's best plus/minus at +24.
3/24 vs PHI 107-121 — LAC notes
LAC lost 107-121. LAC shot 48% (40 of 83) to PHI's 53%, 10 of 28 from three, and went to the line 18 times to PHI's 9 — 17 points from the stripe to their 7. LAC turned it over 13 times to PHI's 8. Leonard led with 20 (7 of 16, 1 of 6 from three); Powell added 20, George 18. Q2 was theirs, 27-22, the deficit cut from 12 to 7, but the other 3 periods went 99-80 against them. George's -18 in 34 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/25 vs IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 113, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; George at 26 and Leonard at 23 a game. Without Westbrook (12 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Indiana comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 114, shooting 51 percent and 35 from three, 16 free throws a game; Siakam at 27 and Haliburton at 17 a game. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Indiana wins, on the road, and the game turns on the line, where the Clippers take 22 free throws a game to Indiana's 16. Call it Indiana 117, the Clippers 116, the Clippers keeping it close.
3/27 @ PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Philadelphia comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 104, shooting 43 percent and 35 from three, 17 free throws a game; Maxey at 23 and Oubre Jr. at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Embiid (26 straight), Melton (14 straight), Covington (40 straight). One day's rest. The Clippers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 117, shooting 50 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; George at 26 and Leonard at 24 a game. One day's rest.
So: Philadelphia wins, and the game turns on the defense, Philadelphia allowing 104 a night to the Clippers' 117 and the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-0 a night and Philadelphia minus-5. Call it Philadelphia 113, the Clippers 110, the Clippers keeping it close.
3/29 @ ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 101, shooting 50 percent and 33 from three, 18 free throws a game; Banchero at 20 and F. Wagner at 17 a game. Without Gar. Harris (2 straight), Bitadze (2 straight). One day's rest. The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 116, shooting 51 percent and 39 from three, 20 free throws a game; George at 25 and Leonard at 22 a game. Without Theis (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Orlando wins, and the game turns on the defense, Orlando allowing 101 a night to the Clippers' 116 and the arc, the Clippers at 39 percent from three to Orlando's 33. Call it Orlando 113, the Clippers 109, the Clippers keeping it close.
3/31 @ CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Charlotte comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 98 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 31 from three, 17 free throws a game; Miller at 20 and Bridges at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. One day's rest. The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 115, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Leonard at 23 and George at 22 a game. Without Theis (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Clippers win, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, the Clippers at 37 percent from three to Charlotte's 31 and the glass, where the Clippers have been minus-1 a night and Charlotte minus-6. Call it the Clippers 114, Charlotte 109.
3/16 vs CHA 109-98 — PHI notes
PHI won 109-98. PHI shot 44% (36 of 81) to CHA's 45%, 13 of 41 from three, and went to the line 25 times to CHA's 18 — 24 points from the stripe to their 14. Maxey led with 30 (8 of 20, 3 of 9 from three, 11 of 12 at the line); Oubre Jr. added 22, Hield 14. The hinge was Q1, 27-24: from level to 3 ahead. Batum was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
3/18 vs MIA 98-91 — PHI notes
PHI won 98-91. PHI shot 44% (37 of 85) to MIA's 39%, 13 of 36 from three. Maxey led with 30 (11 of 24, 3 of 10 from three); Oubre Jr. added 22, Lowry 16. The hinge was Q3, 28-16: a lead of 2 became 14, and the lead reached 17. Maxey was the night's best plus/minus at +22.
3/20 @ PHX 102-115 — PHI notes
PHI lost 102-115. PHI shot 43% (41 of 95) to PHX's 50%, 13 of 37 from three, and went to the line 18 times to PHX's 8 — 7 points from the stripe to their 6. PHI turned it over 9 times to PHX's 23. The glass went 40-55 against them. Oubre Jr. led with 18 (7 of 20, 2 of 6 from three); Payne added 12, Dowtin Jr. 12. Q4 was theirs, 36-25, the deficit cut from 24 to 13, but the other 3 periods went 90-66 against them. Payne's -20 in 15 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/22 @ LAL 94-101 — PHI notes
PHI lost 94-101. PHI took 23 more shots (96 to 73), fed by 13 offensive rebounds, but shot 34% to LAL's 44%, 8 of 37 from three, and got to the line 24 times to LAL's 33. PHI turned it over 8 times to LAL's 21. The glass went 42-54 against them. Maxey led with 27 (10 of 26, 1 of 9 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Oubre Jr. added 19, Harris 16. Q2 was theirs, 29-26, turning a 1-point deficit into a 2-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 75-65 against them. Harris's -9 in 41 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/24 @ LAC 121-107 — PHI notes
PHI won 121-107. PHI shot 53% (48 of 90) to LAC's 48%, 18 of 37 from three, and got to the line 9 times to LAC's 18. PHI turned it over 8 times to LAC's 13. Maxey led with 24 (9 of 17, 3 of 5 from three); Harris added 24, Payne 23. The hinge was Q1, 41-29: from level to 12 ahead, and the lead reached 21. Reed was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
3/25 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 103, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 23 free throws a game; Fox at 24 and Sabonis at 19 a game. Without Lyles (6 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 102, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 18 free throws a game; Maxey at 23 and Oubre Jr. at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Embiid (25 straight), Melton (13 straight), Covington (39 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-1 a night and Philadelphia minus-6 and the line, where Sacramento takes 23 free throws a game to Philadelphia's 18. Call it Sacramento 112, Philadelphia 108, Philadelphia keeping it close.
3/27 vs LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Philadelphia comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 104, shooting 43 percent and 35 from three, 17 free throws a game; Maxey at 23 and Oubre Jr. at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Embiid (26 straight), Melton (14 straight), Covington (40 straight). One day's rest. The Clippers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 117, shooting 50 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; George at 26 and Leonard at 24 a game. One day's rest.
So: Philadelphia wins, and the game turns on the defense, Philadelphia allowing 104 a night to the Clippers' 117 and the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-0 a night and Philadelphia minus-5. Call it Philadelphia 113, the Clippers 110, the Clippers keeping it close.
3/29 @ CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Cleveland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 108, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 17 free throws a game; Allen at 18 and Garland at 15 a game. Without Mitchell (6 straight), Wade (10 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 108, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 18 free throws a game; Maxey at 22 and Harris at 16 a game. Without Embiid (27 straight), Melton (15 straight), Covington (41 straight). One day's rest.
So: Cleveland wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Cleveland 110, Philadelphia 107, Philadelphia keeping it close.
3/31 @ TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Toronto comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 98 a night and allowing 120, shooting 45 percent and 30 from three, 17 free throws a game; Trent Jr. at 21 and Dick at 15 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 16 a night. Without Barrett (8 straight), Quickley (5 straight). 3 days' rest. Philadelphia comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 108, shooting 44 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Maxey at 24 and Harris at 17 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Embiid (28 straight), Melton (16 straight), Covington (42 straight). One day's rest.
So: Philadelphia wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Philadelphia has been plus-2 a night and Toronto minus-16 and the turnovers, Toronto giving it away 18 times a game to Philadelphia's 10. Call it Philadelphia 113, Toronto 109, Toronto keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
PHIBH B. Hield
CP C. Payne
JD J. Dowtin Jr.
KM K. Martin
KO K. Oubre Jr.
MB M. Bamba
PR P. Reed
RC R. Council IV
TH T. Harris
TM T. Maxey
LACAC A. Coffey
BB B. Boston
DT D. Theis
IZ I. Zubac
JH J. Harden
KB K. Brown
KL K. Leonard
MP M. Plumlee
NP N. Powell
PG P. George
TM T. Mann
XM X. Moon
PHI/LAC the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
James Harden and Clippers lose their first meeting with Philadelphia since the trade, 121-107
LOS ANGELES -- — Tobias Harris scored 24 points and Tyrese Maxey added 19 of his 24 in the second half of the Philadelphia 76ers ' 121-107 victory over James Harden and the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
Harden had 12 points and 14 assists in his first game against the 76ers since he forced his way out of Philadelphia last November. After going 0 for 6 on 3-pointers to jeers from a small but vocal cheering section of Sixers fans in Los Angeles, the 10-time All-Star and 2018 MVP will head back to Philadelphia with the Clippers on Wednesday for the rematch.
Harden didn't speak to the media after this game, but his former teammates with Philly were complimentary after soundly beating his new team.
“James is a hell of a player, and I always have a huge amount of respect for him,” Harris said. “It's good to see him in LA flourishing and playing his game, just balling out. It's all love and respect. He's a Hall of Fame player, and for me it was an honor being here playing with him. To see him on the other side happy and enjoying what he's doing, that's really what the game is all about.”
Cameron Payne had a season-high 23 points with five 3-pointers for the Sixers, who rebounded from a loss to the Lakers on Friday by hitting 18 3-pointers in just their fourth victory in 11 games.
Philadelphia blew an early 17-point lead over the Clips before taking control with a 15-2 run to open the fourth quarter led by Maxey, who started slowly and finished strong for the second straight game in LA.
“We finally put two halves together, and it felt good,” Payne said. “Shots were falling. Everybody came locked in today. Shots were falling, and everybody played the right way.”
Kawhi Leonard scored 20 points and Paul George had 18 for the Clippers, who have lost five of eight and haven't beaten a team with a winning record in three weeks. Norman Powell scored 20 points after returning from a three-game absence with a leg bruise, but the Clippers couldn't keep up with the Sixers' outside shooting.
“We know we’ve got to play better basketball going into the playoffs, or it’s going to be an early season," Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. "Still got full confidence in this team and full confidence in what we can do. It's just (about) going out and doing it every single night – not 26 minutes, (but) 48 minutes of doing the right things.”
Harden played in just 79 regular-season games during 21 tumultuous months with the Sixers, who traded Ben Simmons to acquire him from Brooklyn in February 2022. Harden led the NBA in assists last season while boosting Joel Embiid in his MVP campaign before Philly lost a seven-game series to Boston in the second round of the playoffs.
The 34-year-old Harden picked up his contract option to return to Philadelphia last summer, but abruptly requested a trade several weeks later. He then criticized Sixers president of basketball operations Darryl Morey, reportedly calling the executive “a liar” at an Adidas event in China.
Philadelphia still kept Harden on its roster until Nov. 1, when Morey dealt the Los Angeles native to his preferred destination for a package headlined by Nicolas Batum , Robert Covington and KJ Martin .
“It was crazy when it was happening,” Philadelphia's Paul Reed said. “I was upset, but I wasn't like, upset-upset. I was still cool. ... It does feel like that happened last year. You know how long the season is.”
Harden has been largely outstanding with Los Angeles, averaging 17.3 points and 8.5 assists while boosting the Clippers to a top-four spot in the Western Conference.
Before this game, both coaches downplayed the importance of the reunion — although 76ers coach Nick Nurse acknowledged “it might get a little bit different on the other end.” Nurse was referring to Wednesday, when the Clippers visit Philadelphia.
“I didn't really hear any, ‘Oh, we’re playing (Harden), we're playing (the Clippers),'” said Payne, who joined the Sixers last month. “I feel like we just handled our business, and it showed on the court.”
Batum didn't play in his return to LA, but got cheers from fans who loved him during his three-plus seasons with the Clippers.
Even after a Saturday night off in Los Angeles, the Sixers hit 20 of their first 28 shots and took a 17-point lead in the first half, shaking off the poor shooting that plagued an otherwise solid performance against the Lakers. The Clippers rallied to tie it in the third quarter, but never led.