Sixers rookie Jahlil Okafor notched 14 points and nine rebounds.
By Harry Allison
The Sixers let a winnable game get away last night and with that a chance for their first winning streak of the season.
J.J. Redick had 23 points, including the tying 3-pointer late in regulation, and Jamal Crawford also scored 23 points to lead the short-handed Los Angeles Clippers to a 98-92 overtime victory over the Sixers at the Wells.
The Clippers overcame their largest deficit in a victory this season, coming back from 19 points down to win their 19th game in the last 23 overall and 12th in the last 14 on the road.
“It was ugly out there for most of the game,” said Chris Paul, who assisted on Redick’s shot. “Good teams find a way to win, and that’s what we did.”
Jerami Grant had 17 points to lead the 76ers, who were looking for their first winning streak of the season.
“These are games we should be winning,” Philly’s Ish Smith said.
The Sixers looked in good position to earn their ninth win of the season – and first over a team with a winning record – before Redick’s 3-pointer from the right wing with 10.5 seconds left in the fourth quarter tied the game at 88. The 76ers had a chance to win it in regulation, but Jahlil Okafor‘s 18-foot jumper against the defense of DeAndre Jordan went long.
“I wish that Jahlil would have driven on DeAndre, but I give DeAndre some credit, too,” 76ers coach Brett Brown said.
The Clippers took control in overtime, scoring the first eight points in the extra session as Philly missed 10 straight shots to end regulation and start OT.
“That was the best execution we had all game,” Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers said. “And you look at each other like, `Where was that all game?”‘
Jordan had 12 points and 21 rebounds and Paul contributed 19 points, six rebounds and seven assists for the Clippers, who have won nine straight over the Sixers.
Smith returned to the lineup after sitting out the 76ers’ 103-98 victory over Brooklyn on Saturday night with an ankle injury and had 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Okafor added 14 points and nine rebounds.
Already without injured starters Blake Griffin and Austin Rivers, coach Doc Rivers chose to rest Paul Pierce. Rivers is out 4-to-6 weeks after breaking his left hand last Wednesday while Griffin remains sidelined after breaking his hand during a fight with a member of the equipment staff.
The Sixers led by 10 points at halftime and controlled most of the second half.
The 76ers were up 88-85 with possession of the ball with 30 seconds remaining in regulation. Smith missed a 15-foot jumper and Nerlens Noel couldn’t corral the rebound. Following a timeout, Paul found a wide-open Redick, who swished a tying 3.
“I’m not the one that makes the shot, but I feel like I make it because we execute,” Paul said.
