The Philadelphia 76ers still have the opportunity to improve their playoff position with only nine games remaining in the regular season.
The Sixers fell 108-107 to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, and the frustration bubbled over as coach Nick Nurse and guard Kelly Oubre Jr. angrily yelled at the referees after the loss. Oubre appeared to be fouled on a final shot but nothing was called.
Philadelphia (39-34), which sits in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, will battle the host Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29) on Friday.
Against Los Angeles, Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 26 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Oubre added 17 points and 11 rebounds. Buddy Hield scored 17 points, Tobias Harris added 14 and Mo Bamba had 12 points, 11 rebounds and two blocked shots.
But the Sixers continued to falter without reigning Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid, who had lateral meniscus surgery on Feb. 6.
"We have to take care of the ball," Maxey said. "...
