Jan 01 2009
Sixers snap four-game skid against Clippers
For the only time during their six game road trip, the Sixers tipped off against a team that was worse than them, the Los Angeles Clippers. The game was very tight and a back-and-forth contest for much of the night, but the Sixers pulled away in the final minutes of the fourth quarter on their way to a 100-92 win. The victory was Philly’s first since December 19th.
Andre Iguodala led the Sixers with a stat sheet-stuffing 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. Since Elton Brand went down with a shoulder injury, Iguodala is averaging 21.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. While his points and steals numbers are way up without Brand, his rebound and assist averages are slightly down, but nothing significant. However, Iggy is shooting 49.4 percent from the field, but is absolutely dreadful from three point land (3-for-18). Thaddeus Young added 20 points and 6 rebounds, while Andre Miller contributed 15 points and 9 assists. Off the bench, Louis Williams poured in 9 points with 2 blocks, while Theo Ratliff led the team with 8 rebounds and 4 blocks.
Al Thorton paced the Clippers’ with 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Marcus Camby had a man’s double-double with 16 points and 17 rebounds to go along with 6 dimes and 2 blocks, while Eric Gordon poured in 21 points. Baron Davis contributed 11 points and 8 assists.
In getting to 13 wins this year, the Sixers have defeated 11 different teams (Philly beat the Wizards and Clippers twice). It’s also interesting to note that the teams that the Sixers have defeated are a combined 118-230, which is an awful .339 winning percentage. The only team with a winning record that the Sixers have beaten this season is the Detroit Pistons (19-11). On the contrary, the 14 teams that have defeated the Sixers are a combined 250-193, which is a decent .564 winning percentage. Of those 14 teams, the Raptors, Nets, Bulls, Pacers, Bobcats, and Timberwolves were the only teams with losing records. If Philly wants to even consider making the playoffs, they’re going to have to start beating teams with winning records, while essentially beating all teams with below .500 records, which they still don’t do consistently.
The Sixers return to the court tomorrow night when the begin their Texas two-step in Dallas against the Mavericks.
Go Sixers.
