Philadelphia 76ers: Best and worst games in the clutch for 2017-18

Worst performances in the clutch

Oct. 25 vs Houston Rockets

Looking back on this game, its understandable to put this down to early season jitters against a strong and experienced Rockets outfit. However, the manner in which it played out was simply heartbreaking. Following a Simmons layup with 3:05 remaining in the final term, the Sixers led 104-96, with the game seemingly in their control. However over the final three minutes of the game, the Sixers completely imploded.

During this time, they missed all four of their field goal attempts and committed three turnovers while giving up nine points to the Rockets, featuring a 3-pointer at the buzzer from Eric Gordon.

Following the game, coach Brown stated succinctly:

"“I think we let one slip.”"

Key numbers over final five minutes:

• 6 points, 3-of-8 field goals, -7

Nov. 9 vs Sacramento Kings
Just a fortnight after their late-game debacle against the Rockets, the Sixers found themselves repeating the trend against the perpetually underachieving Kings. Like the Rockets game, the Sixers found themselves with a late lead, only to come up agonizingly short. In this case, the Sixers led 108-102 with just 1:10 remaining, until rookie point guard De’Aaron Fox hit the game-winner with 14 seconds remaining.

Of all the losses during over the course of the season, this one possibly stung the most, as evidenced by coach Brown’s comments following the game:

"“We had a play designed. We’ve been doing well closing out games and we went rogue. We didn’t show the discipline. That thing you’re talking about is the end result of chaos.”"

https://twitter.com/Ballislife/status/928972838161313792

Key numbers over final two minutes:

• 3 points, 1-of-4 field goals, -4
• Offensive rating: 87.2
• Defensive rating: 210.8

Feb. 27 vs Miami Heat

Having gotten the better of the Heat in an earlier clutch encounter, the Sixers were instead on the receiving end of a nail-biting loss. In this instance, Dwyane Wade wound back the clock down the final stretch of the game, scoring 15 points over the final five minutes of the contest, as the Heat prevailed 102-101.

Having led by as many as 13 points earlier in the game, this was a particularly hard loss to swallow, especially considering the chances the Sixers had in the closing stages of the game to pull out the win. Firstly, Wade inexplicably fouled Simmons with the score tied and 23 seconds remaining.

The ensuing free throws would see Simmons miss one of the two, only to be upstaged by Wade hitting an incredible 21-footer with five seconds remaining, right in Simmons’ face.

https://twitter.com/World_Wide_Wob/status/968684168057118720

With the game on the line, Redick had possibly the best look given the circumstances:

Key numbers over final five minutes:

• Points: 14 points, 3-of-7 field goals, -3
• Offensive rating: 154.2
• Defensive rating: 184.8

Presently 48-30 and tied with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the third-best record in the Eastern Conference, the Sixers’ upcoming contest with the Cavs presents as a pivotal moment in their march toward the postseason.

Next: 2017-18 Week 25 NBA Power Rankings

So while their form in recent weeks has been incredibly dominant, the playoffs are clearly a different animal. As a result, clutch situations are going to factor into the equation more than ever.