Sixers falter against Thunder, lose 122-112 | Rapid Reaction

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Jan 28, 2018; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts after a call in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2018; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts after a call in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports(Mark D. Smith)

By Zack Rosenblatt

For NJ Advance Media

The Sixers and Thunder only play twice per season.

It's a shame, really.

The last time these two teams faced off, it went to three overtimes, Joel Embiid played 48 minutes, the Thunder won and Oklahoma City star Russell Westbrook waved Embiid off the court, told him to go home.

That game was in Philadelphia.

Sunday in Oklahoma City, the intensity and ill-will was palpable.

In the first quarter, Westbrook, a 6-3 point guard, stepped in front of Embiid in an attempt to draw a charge.

It did not work.

Catch that stare-down from Embiid on the way back up the court?

There was a lot of that. Energized dunks, trash talking, emphatic reaction, from both sides. Like that triple overtime game, it was another thrilling game until the Thunder pulled away from the Sixers late. At that point, Westbrook demonstrably yelled to the crowd "This is our house." 

Like last time, the Sixers couldn't quite finish the task and lost 122-112. It was their 18th consecutive loss to the Thunder, a streak dating back to 2009 when Westbrook was a rookie. 

The Sixers led the game 58-57 at halftime and were acquitting themselves well defensively on Westbrook, an All-Star, but the Thunder scored 35 third-quarter points and began to pull away in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Sixers 26-17 in the game's final 8:30. 

A timline of Markelle Fultz's changing shot

Philadelphia turned the ball over 14 times (with 19 assists)

The loss dropped the Sixers to 24-22 on the season, and with the Bucks winning on Sunday night, dropped them to 8th place in the Eastern Conference standings.

The Sixers will stay on the road on Monday night for an 8 p.m. game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Player of the game: Paul George.

The Thunder All-Star was unstoppable at times and made a key three-pointer at the buzzer just before halftime. He finished with 31 points on 9 of 17 shooting, four rebounds, four assists and four steals. George also shot 9 of 11 on free throws. 

Westbrook scored 37 points -- to go with 14 assists and nine rebounds -- but still only shot 14 of 33 from the field.

For the Sixers, Embiid led the way with 27 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two blocks

Simmons had another solid night, accumulating 22 points on 10 of 14 shooting, four rebounds, seven assists and two blocks. Dario Saric managed 16 points and T.J. McConnell scored 10 off the bench. 

More Markelle

Another night, another couple of videos of Fultz shooting pre-game. Judge as you may.

Rim shots

  • For the fifth straight game, guard Jerryd Bayless (wrist) did not play. He is considered day-to-day. As expected, JJ Redick (leg) and Markelle Fultz (shoulder/shooting issues) also sat out. 
  • Thunder forward Andre Roberson was declared out for season with ruptured patellar tendon. Rookie Terrance Ferguson replaced him in the starting lineup and went scoreless in 23 minutes against the Sixers.
  • Paul George was added to the All-Star roster following the season-ending achilles injury suffered by Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins over the weekend.

Zack Rosenblatt may be reached at zsr1090@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @ZackBlatt. Find NJ.com on Facebook.