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OKC Thunder face reeling Philadelphia 76ers – game preview

By Tamberlyn Richardson

Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket as Steven Adams #12 of the OKC Thunder defends. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket as Steven Adams #12 of the OKC Thunder defends. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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Chris Paul #3 of the OKC Thunder and Danilo Gallinari #8 celebrate after a play during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Clutch time kings hold big edge:

Much like Chris Paul becomes Mr. Clutch for the OKC Thunder that role was cemented by Butler. With his exit to the Miami Heat this past summer the big question was who would take over.

Sure, Embiid is the logical option but as the Thunder have learned there needs to be options. For as much as the Thunder excel in clutch time, the opposite can be said of the 76ers.

Teams lock in on Embiid, Simmons is afraid to have the ball in his hands in case he’s fouled because he shoots 58.1 percent from the charity stripe.

Winning in Philly is extremely difficult, but if the Thunder can get to their favorite clutch time portion of the contest they hold a distinct advantage of the 76ers who get tight in those moments.

Although the 76ers own a positive record in games decided by five points or less (7-6) they’ve lost the last three matches which came down to clutch time. Conversely, the Thunder has been on such a tear winning in those circumstances it almost feels like reaching clutch time is akin to giving the Thunder a 10 point edge.

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