76ers acquire Clint Capela, A.J. Lawson, trade Richardson & Smith to Hawks.

Clint Capela barely had time to adjust in Atlanta.

The Philadelphia 76ers (14-6) and Atlanta Hawks (12-7) have agreed to a trade that will send Clint Capela and #20 pick A.J. Lawson to the Sixers, with Josh Richardson & Zhaire Smith heading to the ATL. Analysts are calling it a fair, logical deal for both teams, a win-win and we'll go over the reasons why.

A Win-Win: Clint Capela adds much-needed support to the often injured Joel Embiid, who did not have his best performances in the NBA Finals last year. "We were very proud of our guys last year, but we also don't love second place," Coach Brett Brown spoke of the trade. Josh Richardson, acquired in the Jimmy Butler deal, had inconsistent games in the NBA Finals. A.J. Lawson will mostly fill that hole left by Richardson, and Zyaire Smith never really got the ground in Philly, but it is mostly the ascension of two-guard clutch sniper Shake Milton, fresh off a 39-PT career-high performance against the Clippers that made Richardson expendable.

Shake Milton is legit, and now the starting SG for Philly.

For the Hawks, the big-time signing of LaMarcus Aldridge with Capela on board cause a logjam down low. Now, John Collins will stay at PF spot with Aldridge at center. Richardson will instead back up #1 pick, Anthony Edwards off the bench, and give Atlanta playoff experience later on. Behind Aldridge, Willie Cauley-Stein will do just fine.

If the Spurs find themselves against the 76ers a second time, they'll have another big to contend with aside from Embiid, which could be considered a reaction to San Antonio's acquisition of Drummond.

Spurs split mini-series with OKC Thunder, suffer first home loss.

Frigid shooting did in the Spurs at home, giving them a first defeat @AT&T Center, but they definitely tried to fight back, going down 0-11 to kick the game off. Tim Hardaway Jr. had 12 points, but Steven Adams had 13 points & 16 rebounds. Chris Paul scored 12 points, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 18 points with 7 assists. Terrance Ferguson scored 13. Yogi Ferrell chipped in with 9 points, 7 assists. Rookie Precious Achiuwa had 8 points.

Meanwhile, the Spurs were down by 11 after the 1st Quarter and trailed by 27 at haltime, shooting an awful 22% from the field. They ultimately lost, 107-89, saving face as Joe Harris finally caught fire, but San Antone's shooters were all blind in one eye tonight. Fred VanVleet had a terrible game, shooting 2-10 from long range (12 points). Kent Bazemore led a brief rally that fell way short, finishing with 29 points & 7 rebounds. Joe Harris had 15 by night's end, going 5-12 from 3PT territory. Jarrett Allen had 16 rebounds with 3 blocks. Rajon Rondo had 8 points.

Coach Popovich, knowing Andre Drummond's pinched nerve situation, took the time to rest Brandon Ingram also tonight, unlike in the first meeting, so the Spurs definitely missed his contributions. San Antonio ended the game shooting 36%. A home loss was bound to happen with 82 games to play, but this one was ugly to watch. Newly activated prospects Luka Samanic & Malcolm Cazalon did not impress, tonight, and Johnathan Williams continues to struggle as the backup center with Drummond out of action.

A bright spot came from the first meeting: Brandon Ingram led the Spurs with 25 points, and a career-high 14 rebounds (10 in the first quarter!). Fred VanVleet nothched 15 points; Kent Bazemore had 9. Rondo scored 8, as did Harris. Allen Crabbe knocked down a couple of threes. Jarrett Allen had 4 blocks impressively, Wes Iwundu hit his first 3PTer as a Spur & Allen had 13 rebounds. San Antonio won 93-82, as both teams shot under 50%. For the Thunder, Adams had 23 rebounds with 14 points; Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 15 points & Chris Paul had 13 points with 7 assists. Gilgeous-Alexander only had 12 points.

In closing, another good thing for the Spurs placement in the standings is the 3-Game skid the Lakers are currently on, after losing a close one to the Spurs.