If you subscribe to the theory that Philadelphia needs to tank, drop and lose no matter what they do, some great news emerged regarding the Sixers’ next opponent, the Los Angeles Clippers. The team announced that the superstar point guard will return to the lineup for the first time since Jan. 3 after separating his shoulder. Paul has been a handful for the Sixers in recent years since going to Los Angeles, much like the rest of the league. He picked them apart for 25 points and 13 assists when the Clippers defeated the Sixers at the Wells Fargo Center on Dec. 8.
He will re-join Blake Griffin, who carried the Clippers in his absence. Griffin led them to a 12-6 record and really stepped up his production, averaging 27.5 ppg without Paul. The Sixers, who have struggled especially of late and have become a pathetic defensive team, will likely have problems keeping up with the many stars of Los Angeles.
One guy that will likely see time matched up against Griffin is Arnett Moultrie. The second-year player, who was demoted to the Delaware 87ers for three games, will make his season debut tonight. Head coach Brett Brown, according to insider Dei Lynam, said Moultrie passed all his conditioning goals and so he can now use him, after recovering from ankle surgery.
Brown says he will immediately throw the youngster into his rotation.
"We look forward to getting him back in the mix tonight," Brown said, via Lynam. "He will come in and he will play. He will be our fourth big. He will supply additional comfort because you can look down the bench and realize Hollis [Thompson] doesn't have to guard Blake Griffin. I applaud him for going down there and handling the NBDL opportunity with class," Brown continued. "He put in the time getting his fitness to what is our standard and he held his head high."
Moultrie only has one more guaranteed year left on his deal, so the 76ers can use the remaining 41 games to see what they have in their 2013 first round draft selection.
Injury Report: Brandon Davies (finger) will not play, nor will Nerlens Noel and Jason Richardson, as they recover from torn ACLs. Questionable for the Clippers will be J.J. Redick with aback injury and Hedo Turkoglu, with a knee injury, is a game-time decision.
Prediction: The Clippers flirt with pushing 150, call the dogs off in the end and win comfortably, 130-102.
Starting Lineups:
Philadelphia:
PG- Michael Carter-Williams
SG- Evan Turner
SF- James Anderson
PF- Thaddeus Young
C- Spencer Hawes
Los Angeles:
PG- Chris Paul
SG- Darren Collison
SF-Matt Barnes
PF- Blake Griffin
C- DeAndre Jordan
