Three things we saw in the 95-90 win …
1. Big things happen.
The Sixers’ big men fought hard despite being severely outmatched physically. With Elton Brand out again, the trio of Spencer Hawes, Nik Vucevic and Lavoy Allen frustrated both Pau Gasol (11 rebounds) and Andrew Bynum (20 rebounds) at times, but still got out-rebounded 55-30. Their 14 first-half boards was a season-worst.
2. Andre the Stopper.
After struggling to stop Kobe Bryant with any consistency in the first half — Doug Collins tried double-teaming him, he threw Evan Turner, Jrue Holiday and Andre Iguodala all at him — Iguodala showed why he’s an Olympic team finalist in the third. Bryant didn’t score his first second-half bucket until 2:20 was showing in the third and finished the second half with just four total points.
3. The Lou Show.
As chants of “Beat L.A.” echoed through the arena late in the fourth, Lou Williams took over. The Sixers’ most clutch shooter poured in 12 points in the final 3:47 (including the team’s final nine points), and turned a five-point deficit into a five-point lead. Williams finished with a team-high 24 points, including two free throws that iced it with 10.1 ticks left.
