Jerami Grant flourishing in either forward spot

LOS ANGELES - Jerami Grant is the 76ers' matchup guy.

He's the starting power forward whenever the team is forced to open with a small-ball lineup, as it did Friday night against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center.

The 6-foot-8, 210-pounder will line up as the starting small forward when the Sixers face dominant small forwards like the New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony, the Brooklyn Nets' Joe Johnson and the San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard.

"I definitely like it," Grant said. "I'm versatile. So it kind of helps my game out."

But heading into the matchup, Grant had been holding his own at the small-ball power forward spot.

One of his better performances of the season came Wednesday in a 110-105 victory at Sacramento. The second-year player outplayed Kings power forward Rudy Gay and recorded the second double-double of his career and this season while logging a season-high 34 minutes.

He made 4 of 6 shots from the field and 6 of 8 foul shots in route to 16 points. He also finished with 11 rebounds, two assists and five blocked shots. Gay, a 10th-year veteran, had nine points and seven boards.

Their matchup wasn't as competitive as the statistics would indicate. Grant had his way against Gay, one of the league's most versatile players.

"I think he's a modern-day four man," coach Brett Brown said of the chiseled Grant. "Look at what he's going to be on the body when he gets older. He can play [small forward] for sure. But I think he's that versatile" to be a competitive power forward.

Grant was averaging 9.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and a team-best 1.7 blocks before Friday's game. He had started 23 of his 34 games.

Although Brown said he thrives as a power forward, the 21-year-old said he doesn't have a favorite position.

"It just matters who we play," he said. "If it's a defensive matchup, I have to guard a [small forward] we need to stop, then I think we will do that and the other way around."

Grant's role doesn't change regardless of what position he plays. He's the Sixers' energy guy.

He is looked upon to bring a spark, whether as a starter or as a reserve. Defensively, the native of Portland, Ore., who grew up in the Maryland tries to send a message that the Sixers aren't rolling over despite their 3-31 record heading into the game.

But his leadership is perhaps his biggest contribution to the youthful team.

"Just growing up, I've always been on winning teams, and I think the carryover shows," said Grant, who played at the famed DeMatha Catholic High School in Maryland. "I'm just trying to get everybody on the same page. Coach Brown has is definitely helping me out a lot with that."