Mbah a Moute scores 13 points in loss to Clippers

The Clippers came into Philadelphia as a team fighting for playoff position and were not going to be denied a W. In the end, the All-Star laden Clippers proved too much for the Sixers to handle, handing the home team a 119-98 defeat.

Philly could never get a rhythm going on either side of the ball, and their defense, which has been stellar as of late, just couldn’t contain the Clippers’ explosive offensive. The Sixers leads the NBA in blocks, at 6.2 per game, but managed just one on the evening.

If the playoffs started today, Los Angeles would meet the Trail Blazers in the first round as the fifth seed, conceding home court advantage to Portland.

“The Clippers are one of those rare teams that can post play, throw lobs to DeAndre [Jordan], bring [J.J.] Redick off the pin down, and have the killer in Chris Paul’s pick and roll. There’s a whole menu to have to guard,” Sixers head coach Brett Brown said after the game.

But for the Sixers, Friday night’s loss had one very bright spot. Once again, Nerlens Noel showed why he’s positioned himself as one of a handful of potential winners of the Rookie of the Year award. Matched up against one of the best defensive big men in the game in DeAndre Jordan, Noel finished with a career-high 30 points (12/17 FG, 6/8 FT), 14 rebounds, two assists, and two steals. The performance was Noel’s 16th double-double, seven more than any other rookie.

The 6’11” big man was at a 30-pound weight disadvantage against Jordan, but was fearless from the jump. He attacked the rim offensively and protected it on the defensive end, showcasing the array of low post moves that he clearly has been developing all season.

Some other notable Sixer performers included Luc Mbah a Moute, who finished with 13 points, and Ish Smith, who dropped 18 points and dished out a team-high nine assists. Also, recent acquisition Glen Robinson III opened his Sixers scoring account with a putback dunk late in the fourth quarter.

Eight-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul was the main man for the Clippers, as he so often is when healthy. The 6’0” point guard registered a team-high 25 points as well as seven assists and three rebounds. Each of the four other Clippers starters scored in double-figures, with sharpshooter J.J. Redick a close second to Paul with 19 points; the two combined for 44 points of the Clippers’ 119 points.

DeAndre Jordan recorded his fourth straight double-double, with 17 points and 20 rebounds, marking the 6’11” center’s 40th double-double on the year. Jordan attempted 17 free throws, but only converted on five of those chances.

Clippers reserve big man Spencer Hawes made his first trip back to Philadelphia since being traded midway through the 2013-14 season. Hawes spent four seasons in a Sixers uniform and averaged 10.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game during his tenure with the team. He had seven points and eight boards in his return.