Scene Setter:
The 76ers’ (8-43) homestand continues on Monday at 7:00 PM EST, when they play the Los Angeles Clippers (34-17) in their second of three consecutive games at The Center. The Sixers will get another shot at putting together back-to-back wins for the first time since the middle of last March. Both teams will be taking the court on the heels of victories. The Sixers achieved a couple of “firsts” in beating the Brooklyn Nets, 103-98, on Saturday at The Center. Prior to that night, they had not defeated an Atlantic Division opponent. The Sixers also had not yet earned a triumph in the second outing of a back-to-back set this year. Those conditions changed with a gritty, composed performance in a contest that was highlighted by 16 lead changes and 12 ties. Jahlil Okafor emerged as a force, cranking out 22 points and a muscling his way to a career-best 17 rebounds. Fellow rookie T.J. McConnell stepped in for Ish Smith, who was sidelined with a left ankle injury, and delivered 17 points, which matched a career-high, and six assists. Nerlens Noel was a factor as well, tallying 18 points, four rebounds, four steals, and three blocks. Undermanned in Miami on Sunday, the Los Angeles Clippers opened a back-to-back set of their own by holding off the Heat, 100-93. After being kept in check for 15 first-quarter points, the Clippers, and more specifically Chris Paul, got going, especially in the second half. Paul misfired on the first nine shots he took at American Airlines Arena, but recovered following intermission to finish with 22 points (8-23 fg) and seven assists. Two-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award recipient Jamal Crawford netted 20 points. Center DeAndre Jordan registered nine points and 11 rebounds, but hit only three of his 14 free throw attempts. Series: The Sixers have had trouble with Los Angeles over the past five years, losing eight consecutive meetings to the Clippers. The Clips’ current winning streak in the series is their longest ever. They have taken the past four match-ups by an average of 33.3 points. The Sixers got off to a solid start against Los Angeles at Staples Center on January 2nd, keeping within two points of the Clippers through one period of play. In the second quarter, Los Angeles went off, scoring 38 points. The Clippers then added 34 more points in the third, outdoing the Sixers 72-4 between the two middle frames of the game. Jahlil Okafor came off the bench to post 23 points for the Sixers. DeAndre Jordan had 22 points and 13 rebounds for Los Angeles. Chris Paul manufactured a double-double as well, with 15 points and 14 assists. Subplots:
Although Ish Smith missed Saturday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets with a left ankle injury, the Sixers didn’t miss a beat in terms of point guard production. Smith has averaged 15.8 points, 7.9 assists, and 31.1 minutes in 19 games with the Sixers since being acquired on December 24th. T.J. McConnell, who assumed starting duties in Smith’s absence, produced a career-high tying 17 points (7-10 fg), six assists, and two steals in 28 minutes. He committed just two turnovers. “I just knew I’d probably be playing a little bit more minutes than I’m used to,” said McConnell when discussing his approach. The starting assignment was his 17th of the season, and first since December 13th. “Kind of got into that mindset, pick and chose when I can pick up full court, and exert a lot of energy, and me and my teammates did a good job on the defensive end.”As much of a catalyst as Smith has been, he’s started six of the Sixers’ eight victories, members of the roster had no doubt that McConnell was capable of handling increased responsibilities on Saturday.”I had one hundred percent belief in T.J.,” Nerlens Noel said. “I knew he was going to come out and play his game, bring that intensity and tenacity he plays with, and he did. He made some big plays down the stretch, and that helped us seal that game. He did a great job.”Entering Sunday, McConnell’s average of 4.8 assists per game ranked second among all rookies. He also was second in his peer group with 11.6 assist points created. Looking for more statistical superlatives? Again, as of Sunday, McConnell had the second-best defensive field goal percentage (47.4) in this year’s rookie class, and, according to stats.nba.com, he was playing at the fastest speed (4.78 mph) of any player in the NBA.”I think that the toughness carries over into preparation,” said Brett Brown on Saturday, as he assessed the factors that have contributed to McConnell’s performance as an undrafted rookie free agent. “He goes overboard in his preparation. I think he’s studied with his opponents. I think he puts in time with his shot, his three-point shooting has improved. I think that defensively, you watch him harass people. He was used to harassing people in college. He’s really maximized his role. I think his overall toughness has allowed him to better prepare for the NBA.”
Isaiah Canaan enjoyed a productive week. In the Sixers’ four games, the third year guard posted team-best marks with an 11 plus / minus rating, 105.6 offensive rating, and 3.6 net rating. He averaged 13.3 points in 26.5 minutes per game as well, and connected on 48.3 percent (14-29 3fg) of his three-point field goal attempts.”Just being more comfortable,” Canaan said Saturday about his recent production. “Doing what I do best, and just letting the game come to me and take advantage of the opportunities that the defense may give me, and staying confident.”Canaan has already buried a career-best 111 triples this year, and, in hitting 37.5 percent of his tries from beyond the arc, is on-pace to set a new personal high in that department, too. He attributed part of his overall improvement to the individual work he’s done with assistant coach Lloyd Pierce. “He works on the offense, and he does the defensive stuff,” said Canaan. “Just being better prepared, and locking into the details and the craft. The biggest thing is just being confident in what you do, and knowing at the end of the day, you are who you are, just believing in that and going out there and taking advantage of it. Brett Brown believes that as Canaan’s role as a shooting guard has become more defined, the Murray State product has become more settled. Brown thinks Canaan has the potential to carve out a long-term niche for himself. “I think [Friday] night, [Washington’s] Gary Neal, who I coached for many years in San Antonio, is a really good example for Isaiah, a journeyman who’s stayed in the league, and just sort of instant offense off a bench,” Brown explained. “Everybody needs that lightning bolt off a bench. Patty Mills did that a little bit with San Antonio. Isaiah has provided that for us. He’s come in and shot the ball. Do what you do. Shoot the ball, and his defense, because he’s built, has followed suit as well, and I just feel like his confidence all over the place is excellent right now.”Canaan is generating 10.5 points per game this campaign.
Injuries to key members of the Los Angeles Clippers continue to mount. Two and a half weeks ago, Blake Griffin, Los Angeles’ leading scorer at 23.2 points per game, fractured his right hand during an off-court incident involving one of the team’s assistant athletic trainers.On Sunday, prior to their match-up with the Miami Heat, the Clippers announced that tests had revealed that Austin Rivers broke his left hand in last Wednesday’s outing with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Per reports, the 23-year old son of Doc Rivers, Los Angeles’ head coach, will be on the shelf for as long as a month and a half. “It doesn’t make us better,” Rivers said of the injury. “We’re getting thin, obviously, but somebody else will have to pick up the slack for right now. It is scary. You’re one of those away without having another guard. We’re just going to try to ride it out.”Rivers ranks second on the Clippers in bench minutes, and had been averaging a career-best 8.1 points per game this season. He tallied a game-high 26 points in the first meeting between the Sixers and the Clips on January 2nd. Another one of Los Angeles’ back-up guards, Pablo Prigioni, hasn’t been at full strength either lately due to a facial contusion. “We’ll figure it out,” said Rivers.
Sixers Health Report:
Elton Brand (conditioning)
Richaun Holmes (right ankle)
Ish Smith (left ankle)
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