MEMPHIS, TN – We say it often, we hear it often when it comes to Brett Brown’s 76ers.They fight. They compete. They don’t quit, circumstances aside. Just because the words are repeated regularly, even in the absence of desired outcomes, doesn’t make them any less true. Tuesday, in particular, the Sixers put forth exemplary, commendable effort. A combination of injuries, illness, and individual workload restrictions left them with just nine players on the active roster. Still, with two minutes remaining in regulation, they found themselves in control of a two-point lead over a seasoned, battle-tested opponent.The margin wouldn’t hold. All-Star Zach Randolph punched in tying putback with 90 seconds to go, the Sixers committed turnovers on their next two possessions, before misfiring on their final five shots. The Grizzlies hit late free throws to ice the game, and escape FedEx Forum with a 96-91 triumph.Thirteen days removed from a marathon double-overtime affair at The Center on Thanksgiving eve, the Sixers and Grizzlies again found themselves engaged in a hard-fought battle. Tuesday, there were 10 ties and 11 lead changes. Down 94-91 with 8.6 seconds to play, the Sixers had one last opportunity to level the scoreboard, but Nik Stauskas was unable to hit a 3-pointer from the corner. JaMychal Green was fouled on the rebound, and knocked down his free throws to put the visitors away. Ersan Ilyasova topped the Sixers in both points, with 27, and rebounds, with 13. The two marks established new season-highs for the nine-year veteran, whom the Sixers picked up via trade during the second week of the season. “You would think to get 17 rebounds, my next comment would be obvious,” said Brett Brown, “but there’s a toughness to him.”He’s a quiet assassin. He’s just as steady as anybody I’ve really coached. There’s a gift upstairs about how he sees the sport. He’s been a great acquisition.”Ilyasova’s fellow forward Dario Saric was a key performer as well, coming off the bench to tally 17 points and seven rebounds. The Ilyasova-Saric duo accounted for all the Sixers’ scoring amidst a 9-0 push late in the fourth period. The run flipped a six-point deficit into a 91-89 advantage, and was capped by a pair of determined, powerful lay-ups from Dario Saric. Memphis was paced by Marc Gasol, not only another All-Star, but a two-time Defensive Player of the Year award recipient. He posted 26 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocked shots one night after manufacturing the second triple-double of his nine-year career.Randolph, playing for the first time in eight games since the passing of his mother, Mae, on Thanksgiving Day, registered his fourth double-double of the year behind a 10-point, 14-rebound showing. He deposited eight of his points in the fourth quarter, including the equalizer.Check back soon for a complete game recap.
