LOS ANGELES — In a game that fans of both teams probably hoped they would lose, the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers competed hard.
The Lakers pulled away from a tight, gritty game early in the fourth quarter and led the rest of the way, beating the Sixers 101-87 at Staples Center Sunday.
The Lakers now have 18 wins, one more than the Sixers. Only the Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks would have had more ping-pong balls in the draft lottery had the season ended Sunday.
Lakers point guard Jeremy Lin led all scorers with 29 points on 10-of-16 shooting. Ed Davis grabbed 11 rebounds and the two players were both a game-high plus-10 for the game. The Lakers had just seven turnovers in the game.
Forward Thomas Robinson was Philadelphia’s top performer, netting 14 points, going 7-for-8 from the field and grabbing eight boards in just over 16 minutes of playing time. Point guard Ish Smith had a game-high nine assists but shot an acrid 3-for-14 from the floor and ending up minus-15. Philly turned it over 13 times, five below their league-worst 18 per-game average.
Late in the first quarter, the Sixers kicked off a swift 12-0 run that put them up 28-18 just 1:42 into the second stanza. The run included two quick 3-pointers in succession from reserve forwards Robert Covington and Jerami Grant.
The Lakers countered with an 8-2 run of their own as Lin stroked a pair of 3s.
Philadelphia led 47-41 at the half, the difference being its 10-1 edge in free throws attempted. Neither team shot the ball especially well, nothing new for Los Angeles and Philly, who rank 25th and 30th, respectively, in field-goal percentage this season.
The Lakers stormed out of the gate, reeling off a 10-1 surge in the first 2:53 of the second half. Forward Wesley Johnson and guard Jordan Clarkson each accounted for four points during the run.
With 5:25 remaining in the third quarter, Philadelphia center Nerlens Noel contested a shot from center Tarik Black. Noel absorbed a slap to the face and landed awkwardly, remaining on the floor for a couple minutes. Noel would return and finish the game with eight points, seven rebounds and two blocks.
There was a momentary flashback to the glory days of the rivalry with Magic and Doctor J when Lin led the break and hit Johnson with a no-look pass for a dunk that put the Lakers up 62-61 with about 16 minutes left to play.
A late-period flurry saw the two teams combine for 15 points in the final 1:55 of the third, leaving Philly with a 75-74 lead.
A runner from Davis put the Lakers up 76-75 just 11 seconds into the fourth quarter and they never trailed the rest of the way.
An 8-2 L.A. streak to start the fourth forced the Sixers to call timeout. Coach Brett Brown’s words of wisdom had little effect as the Lakers scored another six streak, extending the run to 14-2 and never looking back.
Philadelphia scored just 12 points in the fourth quarter.
NOTES: The Lakers were without the services of SG Nick Young (knee) and PG Ronnie Price (elbow). … PF Julius Randle (leg) and SG Kobe Bryant (shoulder) have both been shut down for the season. … Los Angeles PG Steve Nash officially announced his retirement Saturday after 18 seasons in Phoenix, Dallas and Los Angeles. He won two MVP awards with the Suns. … Lakers coach Byron Scott’s 72-year-old mother Dorothy died Sunday and he will miss the Lakers’ two upcoming road games to attend the funeral and be with his family. … The Sixers continued to be without SG Tony Wroten (knee) who will not return this season. Their rookie C Joel Embiid (back) has not played this season and remains sidelined indefinitely.