Sixers vs Trailblazers: The Philadelphia 76ers will be looking to stay hot against a struggling Trailblazers side that’s dropped 7 of its last 10 games.
Who: Philadelphia 76ers (28-16) at Portland Trailblazers (21-23)
When: 10:00 pm EST
Where: Moda Center, Portland OR.
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Spread: Sixers -2 | Trailblazers +2
Moneyline: Sixers -135 | Trailblazers +115
Total: Over/Under 133
After a tough loss to the Thunder just one week ago, the Sixers have beat the Jazz, Lakers, and Clippers over the past week, starting a five-game road trip with a 3-1 record as they look for win number four.
Joel Embiid has been otherworldly of late and as the Sixers climb the Eastern Conference rankings, currently 3rd sitting 1/2 game back of the Bucks, he’s been climbing the MVP rankings list. While it’s nice to hear, what’s better is that each game Embiid and guard James Harden play together, they’ve become more in sync and it’s truly becoming a problem for opposing teams. The Sixers are currently 16-4 over their last 20 games and that’s in part to the chemistry that’s developed between the two All-Stars.
The return of Tyrese and the emergence of Tobias Harris in a supporting role, as well as production from players like De’Anthony Melton and Shake Milton, has helped the Sixers become a more well rounded team. Players like Georges Niang, Montrezl Harrell, and Paul Reed still need to get better when they’re on the floor but with the “three” rotating starting lineups that head coach Doc Rivers has said they’ll be using, the Sixers seem poised to make a run at the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
James Harden has been the key and he’s recently stated “this team is the best chance I’ve had to win. that’s because the former Rocket finally seems to be completely healthy and the chemistry with Embiid is growing each game. Harden has had more “life” in his legs and body of late and that’s shown on the court. While he’s not putting up 30 points a game as he did in years past, he leads the league in assists per game and is missing just the required number of games to qualify. He’s also contributing 21.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Harden has just become “that guy” for the team.
The Trailblazers are currently 11th in the Western Conference but somehow only two games outside of the top 5. Damian Lillard is playing some truly great basketball this season, despite playing in just 32 games. He’s currently 8th in the league in scoring at 29.3 points per game, while adding 3.9 rebounds and 7.1 assists. At 32, he’s up there with Harden, as guys that shouldn’t be playing as well as they are but are still putting up good numbers.
Liilard is supported by two more 20+ PPG players in Jerami Grant (21.6 points per game) and Anfernee Simons (21.7 points per game). That trio, paired with center Just Nurkic and guard Josh Hart has put together a potent lineup that’s just run into some other squads at the wrong time.
Their most recent game saw them lose to the Nuggets, who seem to be beating everyone lately. Lillard had 44 points in the 122-113 loss and Hart and Nukic combined to go 4-14 shooting on the night, which lead to the defeat. Prior to that, the Trailblazers had beaten the Mavericks in back-to-back games and it wasn’t even close. The team can put up points, play good defense, and get out on the move with their three-guard rotation.
While the Blazers could realistically give the Sixers a hard time, Philly is on a roll and have only been getting better with each game they play. If they wanted to run with the Blazers, they would start Embiid, Harris, Maxey, Melton, and Harden to offset the three-guard lineup that Portland will put out there.
Embiid with over 35 points seems to be a given but Maxey and Harden both going over 20 points tonight is on the table.
Sixers – 127 Trailblazers – 118
AP Photo/Ashley Landis
After taking a 3-game series in Washington D.C. earlier in April, the Phillies welcomed the…
It's no doubt that Phillies shortstop Trea Turner is a major key to their lineup.…
Mystik Dan will be hoping to follow up his emphatic Kentucky Derby victory with a…
By MARK KENNEDY AP Entertainment Writer To say Cage the Elephant's latest album had a…
Every year, graduation season reminds me how much older I’m getting. But I try not…
The Philadelphia Phillies will host the Washington Nationals for a three-game series as they look…
This website uses cookies.