Slumping Sixes lose for 7th time in last 8

PHILADELPHIA » As the process turns to progress, there are bound to be some growing pains.

The Sixers blew a 16-point third quarter lead and lost for the seventh time in their last eight games, falling to the Sacramento Kings, 101-95, on Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center.

Zach Randolph scored 27 and Buddy Hield had 23 off the bench for the Kings (10-20), who swept the season series. Much like they did in the first meeting, Sacramento rallied in the second half — only this time they didn’t need a last-second jumper from De’Aron Fox to steal a victory.

Instead, they out-scored the listless Sixers offense, which was missing the interior presence of Joel Embiid for a second straight game, 3017, in the fourth quarter.

Ben Simmons finished with 13 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists for the Sixers (14-16). Robert Covington scored 17 points, but was 5-for-19 from the field and 2-for-13 from beyond the arc.

Embiid, who played a career-high 49 minutes in the triple-overtime loss to the Thunder, sat out with back tightness. He also missed Monday night’s loss in Chicago.

J.J. Redick left the game in the third quarter with a quad contusion.

Former Trenton Catholic Academy star Malachi Richardson scored three points in 19 minutes off the bench for the Kings. Sacramento was plus-19 when he was on the floor.