The Tip-off: The Jedi master meets the Padwan as Sixers host Spurs

After a big comeback win over the New York Knicks, the Philadelphia 76ers (9-5) will host the San Antonio Spurs (5-10) Friday night at Wells Fargo Center. Opening tip-off will be at 8 p.m. EST.

Coverage will begin at 7:30 p.m. on NBC Sports Philadelphia. Radio coverage will be on 97.5 The Fanatic. The game will also be aired on ESPN.

The Sixers are 7.5 point favorites, with the over/under set at 221.5.

Know your enemy: San Antonio Spurs

Coming into Friday night’s prime time match up, the Spurs have dropped seven straight games. Despite the losing streak, coach Brett Brown is not taking the Spurs lightly.

“I didn’t even know that number, I don’t care what that number is. They’re coached by Gregg Popovich and I know the large majority of their coaching staff still exists, not as many of the players, and so I don’t even pay attention to it,” Brown mentioned when asked about the upcoming match up.

Key Players:

Points leader: DeMar DeRozan (21.7 PPG)

Assists leader: Trey Lyles (7.2 APG)

Rebounds leader: DeMar DeRozan (4.8 RPG)

Quick Injury report

Sixers:

Josh Richardson (hip) and Trey Burke (ankle and knee) are both questionable.

Spurs:

Derrick White (foot) is out for the Spurs. On the season, White is averaging 9.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists.

Story of the game:

Brett Brown meets Gregg Popovich (again)

Gregg Popovich has led the Spurs to 22 straight playoff appearances, a wild statistic in any professional sport. Before joining the Sixers in 2013, Brett Brown assisted “Pop” for nine seasons on the Spurs’ coaching staff.

It’s always a story when the two clash. The Spurs rattled off eight straight wins against the Sixers between 2013 and 2017. It took the Sixers until January 3, 2018, to break that streak, where Brown first toppled his mentor 112 – 106.

The two have such mutual respect for each other. One could argue that Popovich has taught Brown most of what he knows, which has led to the Sixers’ success while having talent.

Prediction

No matter the coach, no matter what Brett Brown thinks, the Spurs are a sorry NBA team this season. Sure, any team can win on any given night, it’s professional basketball.

For the Sixers’ sake though, if they do not come out and dominate, they’d just be asking for more drama. Fans were already about to jump out through tv’s as the Sixers were down 17 to the Knicks at one point. Expect Philadelphia to come out hot early, and win this one 123-114 to extend their win streak to three.