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Tim Bontemps, ESPN
PHILADELPHIA — After the Los Angeles Clippers' 108-107 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night, crew chief Kevin Scott said in a pool report that 76ers forward Kelly He said a foul should have been called on Oubre Jr.'s drive. Last play.
“On the last play on the floor, our staff interpreted that play in real time as a defender jumping vertically,” Scott said. “However, in the post-game video review, it was observed that the defender drifted slightly to the left.” [Paul] George, the foul should have been called. ”
The play capped off a chaotic final-minute action that drew multiple reviews, including a wedge leading to a jump ball, two costly turnovers for the 76ers, and clippers star Kawhi Leonard. It ended with two and-ones by Oubre and a drive by Oubre. He lay on the ground as the Clippers celebrated a much-needed victory in South Philadelphia's first game since James Harden was traded.
The nurse stormed into the courtroom to protest not being called and had to be stopped by her assistants. Oubre also jumped in and pointed at three officials, Scott, J.B. DeRosa and Brandon Adair, before being separated.
When asked about his actions after the game, Oubre said, “First and foremost, it was the excitement of the moment.'' “Obviously, this is an intense basketball game, and we're not perfect, the referees aren't perfect, and I want to apologize for losing my cool, because that's what I strive for every day. I wanted to represent God in the best way I could, but that wasn't all I was trying to do. So I just ask for forgiveness.
“But I saw Coach Nurse being furious. If Coach is going to fight for us and go there, I'm right behind him. But at the end of the day, it's not cool. I didn't. So that's what I'm going to do.'' You have to take whatever penalties that come with it and move on, but in some ways I could have been better. ”
Nurse acknowledged that the 76ers contributed to their own demise.
“Well, at 104-101, we had the ball on the sideline. [and] tyreese [Maxey] “They got wide open in the backcourt, slipped and fell, and from there they got an and-1,” Nurse said. “We went down and scored and they put one Kelly out of bounds with a full-court press.” ”
But Nurse also said some late calls should have gone in a different direction.
“I think [Oubre] I thought about it pretty hard,” the nurse said. “I looked at it a few times on the computer. I thought it was definitely contact, certainly as much contact as the last couple of times I got called an and-1 on the other side.
“I thought that was enough communication to call. [But] That can happen sometimes. ”
For both teams, the final stages of the match were a desperate affair, befitting their recent play. Philadelphia is currently 13-26 this season playing without NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid. Embiid is inching closer to returning from left lateral meniscus surgery he underwent seven weeks ago.
The loss leaves the 76ers in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, missing out on a chance to move up to the sixth-place Indiana Pacers, who lost to Chicago on Wednesday.
“I keep saying the same thing,” Maxey said. “We know every time we go on the floor trying to win, but if we can get the big fella back, it's just a step in the right direction. No matter who we play, no matter what the situation is, playoff time is coming. So we feel like we have a great opportunity and a great chance for him to join our team.
“So we, the other players, have to go in the right direction and do all the little things and go out there and play very aggressive on defense and play the right way. If he comes back, we can move forward.” ”
Meanwhile, the Clippers, who had suffered two straight losses at home to the 76ers and Pacers and were about to begin a four-game series on the East Coast starting Wednesday, were not only in contention for current fourth place in the West, but also just behind second place. They got into a contested dogfight. Number of games prior to play-in spot.
All of this overshadowed Harden's first game back in Philadelphia after the trade, where the future Hall of Famer had 16 points and 14 assists in 39 minutes. He was booed during introductions and the first quarter, but as the game wore on his return faded into the background of what was an even contest with a frenetic finish.
“I expected it,” Harden said of the reaction. “I don’t really know what it is, but I was expecting it.
“That's the thing. I don't know why there was booing.”
