Philadelphia is aiming for its seventh consecutive win.
after clinching the season sequence Cleveland Cavalry On Wednesday, the Philadelphia 76ers will try to take action once they conflict with the USA on the identical Friday. Charlotte Hornets Contained in the Spectrum Middle.
Charlotte received the primary recreation between these groups on November 23 after none of Joel Embiid, James Harden, Tyrese Maxey or LaMelo Ball matched. Three weeks later, Philadelphia received its revenge on December 11. Harden and Embiid had been again and Embiid had 53 factors with 71.9 % accuracy.
The Sixers enter this competitors in the midst of a six-game profitable streak. They’re third within the east, 46-22, behind quantity 2. boston celtics and three video games behind Milwaukee Greenback. The Hornets are 22-49 and 14th within the East. They’re twenty sixth in web ranking (minus-6.0), thirtieth in offensive ranking (109.6) and twenty first in protection ranking (115.5). A 13-game streak since February 13, the place Charlotte is 7-6, is third within the defensive ranking (111,1). Defensive head coach Steve Clifford helps his crew construct an id. For the yr, Philadelphia was fifth in web ranking (plus-4.4), third in offensive ranking (118.2) and tenth in defensive ranking (113.8).
Ball (proper ankle surgical procedure), Cody Martin (left knee ache), and Mark Williams (proper thumb sprain) are out of the sport for the Hornets. James Bouknight and Theo Maledon are on the G League mission. Jalen McDaniels is listed as questionable, however Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer experiences that he won’t play for a second consecutive recreation. Mac McClug and Louis King with Delaware Blue Coats.
After promoting Mason Plumlee on the commerce deadline, Charlotte is fairly small and inexperienced inside. Williams has made some good strikes these days, and his absence solely provides to his shortcomings on the entrance. Within the Hornets’ last recreation, Nick Richards, JT Thor, PJ Washington and Kai Jones served as the first bigs. I doubt he is well-equipped to grapple with Embiid, who’s at the moment enjoying the perfect basketball of the season and whose 53-point efficiency in opposition to Charlotte earlier this yr was in his again pocket.
Dennis Smith Jr. has seen a rise in enjoying time since Ball left the lineup and is a moderately feisty offensive level defender. With a mean of two steals in 36 minutes, he navigates the screens fluently, searching for luck within the passing corridors and providing slippery arms. Harden’s craft and measurement ought to have the benefit over Smith, however this will nonetheless be a enjoyable matchup.
Regardless of their latest defensive upswing, the Hornets’ offense is caught within the mud. Throughout their 7-6 run, they’re nonetheless solely twenty ninth within the offensive ranking. The state of affairs is even worse since Ball was eradicated this yr. Within the eight video games performed since his harm, they’re final within the offensive ranking by three factors out of each 100 positions.
There’s a scarcity of passing and the absence of a real major starter hinders the offense. Gamers like Washington, Kelly Oubre Jr., Gordon Hayward, and Terry Rozier are all extremely expert offensively, however none of them are the engine of a talented offense. This results in stagnant properties the place their duties are overextended.
Philadelphia’s protection has struggled these days. This may very well be an opportunity to realize some momentum. Or it might permit them to exacerbate a few of their dangerous habits, similar to a messy go protection, miscommunication on the weak aspect, and low-hands in opposition to dependable shooters. We’ll quickly discover out if the Sixers can prolong their streak to seven video games for the third time this season.
Recreation Particulars
WHO: Philadelphia 76ers and so on. Charlotte Hornets
When: 19:00 Jap Time
The place: Spectrum Middle, Charlotte, North Carolina
Watch: NBC Sports activities Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 Fanatic
To observe: @LibertyBallers
Learn extra
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