Sixers vs Nuggets: Game preview and betting info
With a lot riding on tonight’s game, Joel Embiid and company go into Denver hoping to snap a 2-game losing streak. The performance of both teams will help or hinder their postseason-seeding pursuit, as Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokić are in one of the tightest MVP races in recent memory.
Sixers vs Nuggets game info
Who: Sixers (49-25) @ Nuggets (50-24)
When: Monday, March 27th, 2023 at 9:30 PM EST
Where: Denver, CO
How to watch Sixers vs Nuggets: NBC Sports Philly or NBA TV
How to listen to Sixers vs Nuggets: 97.5 The Fanatic
Sixers vs Nuggets Betting odds
Spread: Sixers +5 | Nuggets -5
Moneyline: Sixers +162 | Warriors -195
Total: Over/Under 230 points
Sixers vs Nuggets: Eye on Philly
After winning eight games in a row, the 76ers have stumbled onto a two-game losing streak. Any momentum from the previous span of success has been halted. They have lost three of their last five games. Without James Harden against the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns, the Sixers struggled to close out games.
Most recently in Phoenix, the Sixers could not match the balanced attack of the Suns. Phoenix had six players score in double figures, while the 76ers only had three. Philly struggled to contain Devin Booker, who scored 29 points. They also could not keep Bismack Biyombo off the glass. He secured 13 rebounds.
Even without an injured Kevin Durant, the Sixers could not keep pace with the Suns, who shot 50.5 percent as a team, led by the savvy, veteran point guard, Chris Paul.
The bright spot in this game had to be Tyrese Maxey going off for 37 points. Maxey shot 7-for-11 from beyond the arc, while Joel Embiid missed his scoring average, putting up only 28 points.
Although Joel Embiid is still playing at an elite level, some fans are concerned that he won’t be fully healthy entering the playoffs. Recently, he’s been dealing with a calf strain and any lingering effects of a foot injury that’s been nagging him throughout the season.
Sixers vs Nuggets: Eye on Denver
After losing four in a row earlier this month, Denver has re-calibrated and put together some impressive wins lately. Over the weekend, the Nuggets went toe-to- toe with the Milwaukee Bucks. Led by Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokić, Denver came out on top, 129-106, to strengthen their lead as the number one seed in the Western Conference.
In that contest, Denver knocked down 15 threes on 41.7 percent shooting. They outrebounded the Bucks 48-40, and they outscored the Bucks 56-48 in the paint.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokić both scored 31 points, while one supporting cast was more productive than the other. For Milwaukee, the next highest point total was only 13 points from Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and Grayson Allen.
Jokić had help from Murray, who scored 26 points in the victory. Michael Porter, Jr. added 19 points to the starting unit for the Nuggets.
What to expect in Sixers vs Nuggets
The last time the Sixers and Nuggets met, it was a battle of the ages. The top two MVP candidates, on many lists, battled back in that nationally televised January game. For Sixer fans, it was exciting to not only see the Sixers win the game but also see Joel Embiid outduel Nikola Jokić in the middle. Tonight’s matchup will have even more emphasis on it for multiple reasons.
The implications for this game are huge. Essentially, it could determine who wins the NBA MVP. The last time Embiid matched up against Jokic, there was no question that Embiid dominated on both sides of the floor. He had a monster stat line of 47 points and 18 rebounds. He also recorded three steals and two blocks. Yet, this is just an individual aspect to the upcoming game.
Expect the Nuggets to try and send the Sixers home with a loss simply because they are trying to lock up the top seed in the west. At 50-24, they are only three games ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies. A win against the Sixers could provide more cushion.
On the other hand, Philly is playing for a higher seed in the east. They trail the Boston Celtics for the second spot by two and a half games. The Sixers are only two games ahead of Cleveland in the third spot. Needless to say, the postseason home-court advantage will be on the minds of both teams.
Denver has the second-best home record in the NBA at 31-6. Whether it’s the high altitude that the team is used to playing in or extra confidence playing in front of the home crowd, the Nuggets have used this aspect of the game to their advantage this season.
On the other hand, the Sixers have been a very good road team despite losing two in a row and on their current West Coast trip. Philly is 23-14 on the road this season.
Sixers vs Nuggets: Injury report
Sixers: Joel Embiid (doubtful), James Harden (doubtful), Danuel House, Jr. (doubtful)
Nuggets: Michael Porter, Jr. (doubtful), Jack White (out)
Sixers vs Nuggets betting offers
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AP Photo/Rick Scuteri
