Thunder vs. 76ers: Sixers Can't Silence Thunder, Fail to Capture Signature Win

Entering Wednesday evening, the Philadelphia 76ers were still looking for a signature win to show that their 20-14 first-half record was not a fluke. Unfortunately, they could not contain the likes of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant in the fourth quarter when it counted most.

Westbrook and Durant combined for 45 of the Thunder's 92 points as they downed the Sixers by four, 92-88.

Entering the third quarter with a 53-48 lead, the Thunder appeared poised to stretch their lead significantly in the second half. However, the Sixers did what they have done all year, coming out of halftime with more energy and intensity than their opponents.

Holding the Thunder to just 10 third-quarter points, the Sixers took a 67-63 lead entering the fourth quarter, and it appeared that an upset was in the works. Unfortunately, the Sixers were unable to keep the Thunder off of the glass, as they were out-rebounded 56-39 by OKC. The size of Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins combined with Russell Westbrook's tenacity (seven offensive rebounds) on the boards cast an ugly shadow on this one throughout.

Head coach Doug Collins was left to tinker with small lineups once again with Spencer Hawes sidelined due to a nagging Achilles injury. Rookie Lavoy Allen started at center and failed to record any points, and his rookie counterpart Nikola Vucevic failed to do much better, notching just two points in 13 minutes of work.

Due to their lack of size in the frontcourt, Elton Brand saw an increase in playing time, notching a double-double (10 points and 10 rebounds) in 33 minutes of action.

Ultimately, the Sixers' lack of clutch scoring in the fourth quarter doomed them in this one. Although they did have six players record double-figures in scoring, they did not have an answer down the stretch. Lou Williams was held to 11 points on 3-11 shooting and couldn't come up with clutch buckets down the stretch.

Next up for the Sixers is a nationally-televised game on ESPN, Friday against the Golden State Warriors.