By: Jesse Larch, Sports Talk Philly Staff 
A career-high 25 points for Richaun Holmes was not enough as Dwight Howard's 22 points and 20 rebounds led the Hawks over a resilient Sixers team by a score of 99-92 on Wednesday night at Wells Fargo Center.
The Sixers were without Tiago Splitter, Jahlil Okafor, Sergio Rodriguez, and Robert Covington on Wednesday night. With only eight players available, the Sixers had to exhaust their bench just one night after playing the Nets with only nine players.
The Sixers would score first on T.J. McConnell's 10th three-pointer of the season, but would not hold the lead again in the game. Ersan Ilyasova was dominant against his former team in the first quarter making the spot start for All-Star Paul Millsap. Ilyasova had 12 points in eight minutes for the Hawks to lead all scorers in the first quarter. Dwight Howard had 6 points and 6 rebounds.
The Sixers shot under 40% in the first quarter from the field and trailed 25-18 heading into the second quarter.
Things did not get better in the second quarter, with the Sixers never narrowing the lead to more than four points. The Sixers went into the half trailing the Hawks 52-43. Dwight Howard and Ersan Ilyasova continued to put their mark on the game. Ilyasova led all scorers with 14 first-half points. Howard had 13 points and 10 rebounds in the first half and Kent Bazemore caught fire in the second quarter hitting three three-point shots and finished the half with 11 points.
Dario Saric and Richaun Holmes had 10 points apiece to lead the Sixers after two quarters. T.J. McConnell had 7 points and 6 assists in the first half.
The Sixers made a push in the third quarter, getting within six points of the Hawks, but the Hawks would continue to find a way to separate. The Sixers cut the lead to four after Justin Anderson swatted an alley oop attempt and then battled for a loose ball to ultimately keep possession with the Sixers. Richaun Holmes would go to the line and hit both to make it a 74-70 game. The Hawks would separate again and hold a 79-70 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
After spending almost the entire game trailing, the Sixers roared back in the fourth quarter, closing the Hawks lead to two after two huge dunks by Shawn Long and Justin Anderson.
The Hawks would extend their lead to nine points in the final two minutes of the game to finally put the Sixers away by a score of 99-92.
Dwight Howard's huge night was accompanied by four other teammates in double figures. Kent Bazemore and Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 19 each. Dennis Schroder and Ersan Ilyasova both scored 14 points.
Richaun Holmes led all scorers with his career-high 25 points. Dario Saric had 15 points on 5-18 shooting. T.J. McConnell pitched in 13 points and 8 assists. Justin Anderson and Shawn Long both had 10 points.
Next Up:
The Sixers will play next on Friday night when they visit the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers at 7:30 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena.
