For the second game in a row the Philadelphia 76ers came up short against a division-leading team. Mistakes and missed free throws by the Sixers let the Los Angeles Clippers stay in tonight's game. Given that chance, Chris Paul hit a 16-footer with three seconds left to give the Clippers the 78-77 victory.
The Clippers were playing their second game after losing Chauncey Billups for the season with the Achilles injury. Paul with 24 points and Blake Griffin with 16 led the Clippers' scoring.
In crunch time, two Sixers guards, Lou Williams and Jrue Holiday, each missed a free throw. The Sixers also had a killer turnover when they could not get the ball in bounds within the allowed five seconds. The Sixers have been winning these low-scoring defensive battles, but tonight poor execution on the offensive end cost them the game.
With Spencer Hawes out again due to his chronic injury, rookie Nikola Vucevic started at center and for the second game in a row was totally ineffective. Elton Brand had his second consecutive double-double with 10 rebounds and 12 points.
But if Hawes is not able to play on a consistent basis, the Sixers are going to need to make a move to acquire a center if they want to continue their early success. It is becoming clear that despite their tough defense, the combination of a good point guard and a strong center is too much for the Sixers to handle with the team they put on the floor tonight.
Ramon Ramirez Sergio Romo Ron Artest Shannon Brown Kobe Braynt Andrew Bynum
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