Iguodala, Sixers, Ring in 2009 with a Victory

Shortly after the new year arrived in Philadelphia, the 76ers were at Staples Center in Los Angeles, completing a solid performance, in an 100-92 victory, versus the Los Angeles Clippers.

It was the Sixers first victory since a 109-103 road victory, versus the Washington Wizards, on December 19, in Washington. The win also ended a four game losing streak for the 76ers, and balanced the NBA head coaching record of interim head coach Tony DiLeo, at four wins against four losses. The win raised Philadelphia's overall season record to 13-18, while the defeat moved the Clippers' season mark to 8-23.

The Sixers were lead by Andre Iguodala, who arguably played his best game of the season, scoring 28 points, and, recording seven rebounds, and seven assists. Iguodala also was aggressive and effective on the offense end of the court, earning 17 free throw attempts, making 14 of those attempts, while committing only one turnover.

Second-year forward Thaddeus Young added 20 points, on 10-14 shooting from the field, along with six rebounds, while point guard Andre Miller scored 15 points, and added nine assists.

The game was closely contested throughout, with the Clippers actually leading 27-26 after the end of the first quarter of play, while the Sixers lead by three points at halftime, and four points at the end of the third quarter. However, it was the 31 point output by the Sixers in the fourth quarter that helped lead them to victory, with Iguodala accounting for 14 points in the period, including 10-for-10 from the free throw line.

The Clippers were led by forward Al Thornton's 24 points and nine rebounds, guard Eric Gordon's 21 points, and veteran Marcus Camby, who had 16 points, and a game-high 17 rebounds.

Both teams were without key players. The Clippers were without forward Zach Randolph. And, the Sixers were playing without former Clippers' All-Star, Elton Brand, who signed a huge free-agent contract with Philadephia, this past July.

There was a large anticipation of Brand's return to Los Angeles in a Sixers' uniform. There are some that believe that Brand misled the Clippers into believing that he would return to the club for the 2008-2009 season, even though he had exercised an opt-out clause of his Clippers' contract, making him a free agent, and eligible to sign with any NBA team.