Philly Sports Jabronis
By Max Rappaport, Sixers.com
Facing a 33-27 Thunder team that is scratching and clawing to retain control of its tenuous hold on a playoff seed, the 13-47 Sixers, whose postseason hopes have long since evaporated, weren’t expected to put up a fight. They weren’t expected to open the game on an 8-0 run, or to build a commanding 16-point lead behind late in the third quarter, or to force overtime after a valiant comeback effort by the Thunder.
In the end, Philadelphia fell 123-118 in extra time, but the relentless determination shown by the squad drew praise from head coach Brett Brown.
“The thing that I most get pleased with is that no matter who comes in that locker room, there’s enough carryover with the people that we have that they can help recreate and re-explain the culture,” he said after the game. “We’re trying to build a program, and we’re trying to build it through defense and a fighting-type spirit. And I’m proud of that.”
For the second straight game, the Sixers were without sharpshooter and leading scorer Robert Covington. And for the second straight game, newcomer Isaiah Canaan stepped up in his absence.
Isaiah Canaan came one 3-ball shy of former Sixer Dana Barros’ record for most in one game Wednesday night vs. the Thunder. Photo Credit: Philadelphia 76ers
Canaan, who played alongside Covington last season with the Houston Rockets and Rio Grande Valley Vipers, scored a career-high 31 points on 10-of-16 from the field and 8-of-13 from beyond the arc to go along with seven rebounds and six assists. His eight triples fell one shy of matching a franchise record set by Dana Barros during the 1994-95 season.
Jason Richardson was close behind, finishing with 29 points on 8-of-19 shooting (4/9 3FG). It was the most points the 34-year-old has scored since February of 2012. Luc Mbah a Moute contributed 18 points (6/21 FG), 14 rebounds, and five assists, Nerlens Noel added eight points (3/10 FG), 13 rebounds, five blocks, and four steals, and Jerami Grant notched 14 points (2/7 FG) and a pair of blocks in 28 minutes off the bench.
The Thunder were led by Russell Westbrook, who finished with 49 points (16/33 FG), 16 rebounds, and 10 assists. It was his fourth consecutive triple-double, making him the first player since Michael Jordan in 1989 to accomplish that feat.
Inside The Numbers: 80
Eighty of the Sixers’ 118 points came on three-pointers (45 points) and foul shots (35 points). Backcourt-mates Isaiah Canaan and Jason Richarson contributed 48 of those 80 points, one shy of the total for the Thunder as a team from those two spots.
Next Up
The Sixers are back in action Friday at home against the Utah Jazz. Action tips at 7pm (EST).
