Sixers lose to Lakers on Ingram’s heartbreaking three

By: Jesse Larch, Sports Talk Philly editor 

The Sixers lost on a late three from Brandon Ingram and the Los Angeles Lakers after overcoming a sluggish first three quarters and storming back in the fourth quarter on Thursday night at the Wells Fargo Center. 

The Lakers never trailed in the first half jumping out to an early 4-0 lead.

The Sixers would knot the game at eight in the first quarter, but Brandon Ingram was too much for the Sixers in the first quarter with 10 points in the opening frame, including a highlight reel dunk over Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot. 

The Lakers would lead 32-25 heading into the second quarter. 

The Sixers began to wake up in the second quarter, largely thanks to stellar play from Ben Simmons and a hot shooting touch from Rovert Covington. 

Defensively the Sixers were still asleep, and every time the Sixers gained momentum the Lakers would come right back in a very back-and-forth quarter. The Lakers won the quarter 25-24 and led at the half by a score of 57-49. 

Joel Embiid led the Sixers with 15 points in the first half. Robert Covington joined Embiid in double figures with 11 points and hit all three of his attempts from three in the half. 

Brandon Ingram led the Lakers with 13 points at the break. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope also had double figures in the first half with 10 points. 

Ben Simmons also laid the foundation for his third triple double of the season with six points, six rebounds, and eight assists in the first half. 

The Sixers bench scored two points in the entire half. 

The Sixers played a lackluster third quarter, trailing by as many as 16 points. It was not until a late surge that saw the Sixers trim the Laker lead to five. The Lakers rebounded and and built their lead back to nine before the end of the quarter, but the Sixers were finally showing some energy. 

The Sixers built on their strong end to the third quarter and battled to catch up with the Lakers throughout the fourth. 

The Sixers completed the comeback and tied the game at 101 with 2:22 left in the game as Richaun Holmes traded blows with Julius Randle in a battle of bench bigs. 

The Lakers would extend the lead to three points but the Sixers would tie it up at 104 after Holmes and Embiid combined to go 3-of-4 from the line down the stretch. 

After a Lonzo Ball missed three the Sixers had possession with a chance to take the lead with seconds on the clock. After an Embiid miss the Sixers attempted to break the rebound free but the Lakers pounced, ran down the clock and found a wide-open Brandon Ingram for a game-clinching three.

The Lakers would win by a score of 107-104. Ingram led the Lakers with 21 points and added seven rebounds and six assists. 

Julius Randle (16), Jordan Clarkson (16), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (13), Larry Nance Jr. (11), Brook Lopez (11), and Lonzo Ball (10) joined Ingram in double figures. 

Joel Embiid led all players with 33 points, and added seven rebounds and six assists. Robert Covington (19), J.J. Redick (15), Richaun Holmes (13), Jerryd Bayless (12), and Ben Simmons (12) were also in double figures for the Sixers. 

Simmons registered his third triple-double of the season with his 12 points, 13 rebounds, and 15 assists. 

Despite Simmons' strong night the Sixers bench continued to be atrocious, getting outscored 41-13. All 13 of the Sixers' bench points came from Richaun Holmes. 

The Sixers had seven more turnovers than the Lakers in the game, and the Lakers had eight more offensive rebounds, an area where Dario Saric – who was absent tonight – excels. 

The Sixers play again on Saturday night when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers.