Gasol, Conley lead Grizzlies over 76ers in 2OT

Joel Embiid kicked (but missed) a chair Wednesday night, this after being told he couldn’t step on the floor during the second overtime of the Sixers’ 104-99 loss to the visiting Memphis Grizzlies. The Bucks County Courier Times’ 76ers writers cover the Philadelphia 76ers’ National Basketball Association games during the season, provide frequent news reports on players leading up to games and analysis of the team’s performance following games. And for the first time in four years, they were not making excuses, or plans, or more plans. The Sixers also haven’t beaten the Grizzlies (10-5) since December 26, 2012, with Memphis winning eight consecutive meetings. Memphis rode the pick-and-roll tandem of Mike Conley and Marc Gasol to 16 fourth quarter points, erasing an eight point deficit to take an 85-79 lead with 1:53 left.

With three minutes and 38 seconds left to go in the Miami Heat’s game at the Philadelphia 76ers Monday night, two Goran Dragic free throws tied the game at 91-91.

“He was just talking about bringing back the center position, how many great center there are and how well as I was playing”, Whiteside said.

“It was frustrating, but those guys, they care about me and they’re looking out for me”, Embiid said, before offering a shy smile.

“I feel we’re moving in the right direction”, Brown said. Averaging a little more than 17 minutes per game, Brown makes his presence known when he is on the court, shooting nearly 47 percent from the field.

Embiid finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots.

Philadelphia got within 99-96 with 1:58 left on Ilyasova’s free throw after Gasol was whistled for a technical and cut it to 99-98 after Bayless’ layup with 23 seconds remaining. This puts them at 14th in the league in 3-point percentage. His shooting slump could be over. He scored 19 points.

“I don’t know if I’m going to get fined for this but I thought I got fouled”, Embiid said. “I’m sure it’s hard for him with this rotation (coming off the bench behind Embiid)”. It marked his 12th double-double in 13 games this season.

The 76ers’ last three-game winning streak came December 29, 2013-Jan.

Last season, when Bucks head coach Jason Kidd experimented with playing the oversized Antetokounmpo at point guard we got a glimpse of just how high his ceiling truly is. The Sixers have won three straight at home, but dropped their last 21 on the road -two away from matching a franchise record.

The Sixers went ahead by as many as 11 in the third quarter, and led 71-63 at the end of the period.

Overall, Philadelphia did a good job of limiting of keeping Memphis quiet, especially in the first half. Embiid’s turnovers have cost the 76ers wins against the Magic and the Cavaliers.