For a second consecutive game, the Clippers opened a tantalizing window into their potential only to see their own maddening inconsistency ruin what could have been a signature early-season victory over a 76ers team led by Joel Embiid’s 41 points.
At halftime, Rivers showed video of all the instances in which 76ers ballhandlers operated with little disruption. Tighter defense, he told them. It worked: A 24-8 third-quarter run gave the Clippers their first lead 32 minutes into the game as reserve Boban Marjanovic, not All-Star Embiid, became the dominant big man.
“When Lou gets it going it’s hard to stop him, and he has the ability offensively to carry you, but at some point someone else has to step up,” Rivers said.