The Sixers have won three out of their last four games and will look to continue to stack wins together as they travel to Brooklyn to face the Nets.
Staying with the theme of this NBA season, the Sixers will also have to go into tonights game without their head coach as reported by Woj via twitter. Head Coach Doc Rivers has entered COVID protocols, and assistant Dan Burke will take over as acting coach.
Newly acquired guards Tyler Johnson and Myles Powell will also enter COVID protocols, joining Danny Green. However, there is a possibility of a return for Andre Drummond and Shake Milton. This is notable as the currently 6th-placed team in the Eastern Conference take a step towards full health.
December 16th was the last time the Sixers faced the Nets and although the-then depleted Nets team were ravaged by COVID, they went on to win that game behind a 34 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assist night by superstar Kevin Durant. The Sixers were missing key contributors as well with the likes of Tyrese Maxey (Injury) and Georges Niang (Health & Safety Protocols) being out..
Brooklyn comes into tonights contest sitting atop the Eastern conference with a 23-9 record and getting healthy, with many of their core players returning including Kyrie Irving. However, Kyrie will not be able to play tonight due to the vaccine mandate in New York.
Kevin Durant (COVID Protocols) has been playing at an MVP level this year, carrying his team when players were out averaging 29.7ppg, 7.9rebs and 5.9ast.
It also seems James Harden (COVID Protocols) who recently returned to the lineup as well, looks to be rounding into form after putting up 39pts, 8rebs, and 15ast against the clippers two nights ago.
Tonight sets up to be a good test and measuring stick for this Sixers team, with a chance to show they still belong in the conversation with the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
Joel Embiid has been a dominant force over the last five games averaging 33 points and 10 rebounds. During this period, the team also has displayed some inconsistent play, bad execution, rebounding, poor shooting and preparation, which resulted in some bad loses and close games with teams with depleted rosters. Embiid will look to continue his strong play tonight against the Nets.
The Main focus for the Sixers needs to be chemistry as the team finds its usual rotation. The Nets should be a good test for this Sixers team, even more so being down two more players and now their head coach. Brooklyn bring a high powered offense and with two of their three stars back in the lineup tonight, the Sixers need to be prepared or else things could get messy quickly.
Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire
