NBA: 76ers win fourth straight as Clippers play without James Harden again

Tyrese Maxey scored 16 of his 29 points in the first quarter as the Philadelphia 76ers got off to a fast start and extended their winning streak to four games with a 128-113 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday in Inglewood, California.

Dominick Barlow recorded a career-high 26 points with 16 rebounds, while Joel Embiid added 24 points as the 76ers matched their longest winning streak of the season. Kelly Oubre Jr. contributed 15 points as Philadelphia began their five-game West Coast road trip with a strong victory.

Philadelphia dominated early, opening an 18-2 lead just five minutes into the game and leading by as many as 23 points in the first half. The 76ers also swept the two-game season series against the Clippers.

Kawhi Leonard led Los Angeles with 29 points, and Jordan Miller added 21, but the Clippers’ five-game home winning streak came to an end. Kobe Sanders scored 17 points, John Collins had 15, and Brook Lopez added 13 as the Clippers fell to 17-5 since December 20.

The Clippers played their second straight game without guard James Harden, who is out for personal reasons amid emerging trade rumors ahead of Thursday’s deadline.

Philadelphia held a 38-19 lead after the first quarter while limiting Los Angeles to 36.8% shooting. Maxey was 4 of 5 from 3-point range, and Barlow added 11 points as Leonard went 0 of 5 in the opening period.

The Clippers improved in the second quarter, scoring 34 points, but could not close the gap as the 76ers led 72-53 at halftime, shooting 52.6% from 3-point range (10 of 19).

Los Angeles pulled within 94-83 late in the third quarter, but Philadelphia entered the fourth with a 100-87 lead. Leonard’s dunk brought the Clippers to 115-104 with 5:19 remaining, but Maxey’s 3-pointer pushed the 76ers ahead 120-104 with 4:25 left. Both teams rotated their benches for the remainder of the game.

The 76ers’ victory highlighted their balanced scoring and defensive effort as they continue their push to remain among the Eastern Conference leaders.

-Field Level Media/Reuters