The Philadelphia 76ers are playing host to the Denver Nuggets, riding a three-game winning streak after soundly defeating the New York Knicks, 130-119, on Saturday. The Nuggets find themselves in a bind, having lost four of their last five games and facing an injury report that has become all too common in Philadelphia. Nikola Jokic is expected to miss most of the month of January, and the Nuggets will be without their top four players tonight.
Who: Denver Nuggers (23-12) at Philadelphia 76ers (19-14)
When: 8:30 p.m. EST
Where: XFinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pa.
Watch: Peacock
Let's start with Joel Embiid, who's played in four of the last five games and looks likely to play against the Nuggets, as he's listed as probable on the latest injury report. Embiid has looked healthier than at any time in the past few years, and how he's worked his way into the Sixers' game has been nothing short of amazing.
Over the last 10 games, Embiid has played in seven while averaging 28.7 points. 8.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. His three-point shooting is just 26.9%, but the team doesn't need that from him. His return has helped make the Sixers a formidable Eastern Conference squad.
While Embiid has looked much better, Tyrese Maxey has continued his ascent to the top of the players in the league, while averaging 30 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game, shooting 44.4% on his three-point attempts over his last nine games played. Maxey has taken control of the Sixers, and it's shown throughout the lineup as the team continues to improve. With Paul George being healthy, the Sixers' big three have been fantastic together of late.
Speaking of fantastic, VJ Edgecombe has turned a corner during his rookie season. He had some ups and downs to start the year, but over his last nine games, he's averaging 21.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 39.1% from the 3-point line. Edgecombe has been playing outstanding defense throughout, leading to transition scoring for the Sixers as he's showing that the Sixers were correct in drafting him and making him an immediate starter.
The Nuggets are in a bad spot, and it doesn't look like it's going to get any better anytime soon. Nikola Jokic has a hyperextended knee that will keep him out for most of January and maybe longer. The three-time MVP was already having one of the best seasons of his career, averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 11.0 assists per game while shooting a career-best 43.5% on his three-point attempts.
Injuries are a part of the game, as Sixers fans well know, but Jokic has been able to avoid them for the most part in his career. It is funny, though, how now that it is Jokic who is hurt, fans — in the stands and the media stans — are up in arms over him possibly missing out on awards while not reaching the league-mandated minimum games played.
In addition to Jokic, the Nuggets are without their other top three players, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Tim Hardaway Jr., all out for the game with various injuries. Denver is coming off a brutal loss to the Brooklyn Nets, 127-115, last night in Brooklyn.
It's more than the injury issues though, they're also going to be tired from their travels and games. For a team playing its third game in four days, they won't see much rest, as they'll have three more games before next week.
The Sixers are feeling good and playing even better. After being blown out by the Thunder, the team has come together with wins over the Grizzlies, Mavericks, and Knicks, with the last two being convincing wins as the big three from Philly have started to come together.
The continued quality play from their three big stars, along with the addition of VJ Edgecombe to the mix, makes the Sixers suddenly look like they could be a contender in an Eastern Conference that's more wide open than people might assume. The crazy part is that they're not at 100% yet, as Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford should return to the team soon, adding another layer of weapons.
Tonight, the duo of Edgecombe and Maxey will look to continue terrifying opposing teams and putting up more than 50 points combined, while Joel Embiid and the Sixers front court should feast on a depleted Nuggets roster.
These are the games when Embiid likes to put up a casual 50 points to show teams that he's still one of the most dominating big men that the game has seen. It shouldn't be too tough a game, and as long as they don't overlook the remaining Nuggets players, the game should be taken care of rather quickly.
Sixers 131 - Nuggets 113
