Brand’s shot leaves a mark

There was probably no other way this game could have ended.

Fate meant that Elton Brand would make the winning shot against his former team in the last minute. And because that team is the Clippers, well, it happened.

Brand, who left the Clippers cold during the summer, left them chilled one more time, making a 15-foot jump shot with 57 seconds left to give Philadelphia an 89-88 victory on Friday night at the Wachovia Center.

“I think I’ve seen him make that a few times,” said Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy.

The Clippers blew an eight-point lead in the final 6 1/2 minutes and committed 23 turnovers in the game.

“Turnovers killed us,” Dunleavy said.

The Clippers (2-10) were led by Al Thornton’s 22 points. Baron Davis had 18 points, six assists and seven turnovers. Thaddeus Young and Brand each had 17 points for the 76ers (6-6).

Said Brand: “It was special. We needed a victory and it was our first time playing against them, got the bragging rights so far.”

Still, the man who was Mr. Clipper, having been with the franchise since the 2001-02 season, felt unsettled early on.

He suggested familiarity might have benefited the Clippers.

“They know where I like the ball. They know my moves,” Brand said. “Some of those coaches taught me those moves.”

Brand missed 12 of 18 shots. He was off his game early, going two for six in the first quarter, and admitted that it all felt “kind of surreal” playing against his former teammates and seeing his former coaches.

“I know those guys and love those guys,” he said. “Playing against them in the first half was definitely strange. But when we started losing, I said, ‘Enough of that friendship stuff, let’s get a victory.’ ”

He shared a warm moment with Dunleavy, but there were no such hugs beforehand with Baron Davis. Brand helped recruit Davis to come to Los Angeles from the Golden State Warriors before deciding to sign a five-year deal with Philadelphia for nearly $80 million.

Davis, who had said earlier this week that he didn’t plan on talking to Brand, greeted him before the opening tipoff with a quick hand slap. Brand said they didn’t talk during the game; instead there was trash talking between “two L.A. point guards,” Davis and Philadelphia’s Andre Miller.

Brand said he was relieved the reunion game was in the rearview mirror.

“Absolutely, it’s one of those nights, I’m glad it’s over,” Brand said. “It was a big deal. There was a lot of anticipation. We got the victory, so now it’s time to move on.”

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lisa.dillman@latimes.com