The Philadelphia 76ers are at home tonight to take on the Charlotte Hornets. The Sixers haven’t been much better than the Hornets of late, having lost three of their last four, and going 4-11 over their past 15. The Hornets are coming off of back-to-back losses to the Bucks and sit 13th in the East.
76ers vs Hornets: game information
Who: Charlotte Hornets (15-44) at Philadelphia 76ers (33-25)
When: 7:00 pm EST
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia PA
Watch: Bally Sports Southeast, NBC Sports Philly, NBA Network
76ers vs Hornets: Betting information
Spread: 76ers -11.5 | Hornets +11.5
Moneyline: 76ers -650 | Hornets +470
Total: Over/Under 214
Latest on the Sixers
The Sixers are currently in 6th place in the Eastern Conference and things aren’t looking good. They are 13 games out of first place, currently in a tie with the Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic despite having some games in hand. Life without Joel Embiid has not been easy for team and it won’t be any easier over the next few weeks with games against the Knicks, Bucks, and Lakers all on the horizon.
All-Star guard, Tyrese Maxey, has been giving it his all to help lead the team on and off the court since Embiid went down with his knee injury. Against the Celtics on Tuesday, a game the 76ers lost 117-99, Maxey had 32 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists. You can’t fault the young star who is very much carrying the load right now. The rest of the starters combined to shoot 8-36 from the field and 4-16 on their three pointers.
While Maxey is the exception, the rest of the starters have been struggling. Tobias Harris either doesn’t want to shoot or doesn’t know when to stop and neither of those are producing consistent results. Over his last three games, all of which were important to the Sixers, Harris is a combined 14-44 from the field. With that being said, the Hornets are in the bottom level of teams in the league, so you can expect Harris to have at least 15 points.
The good news for the Sixers is that, against the Celtics, they were able to get good minutes and scoring from Ricky Council IV, Cam Payne, and Mo Bamba, who all scored in double figures. (You read that correctly, it says Mo Bamba) Hopefully, this continues against the Hornets.
Latest on the Hornets
The Hornets are coming into Philly after back-to-back losses to the Milwaukee Bucks and with the Bucks one of the top teams in the league, that should be expected. What wasn’t expected was losing by 38 points on Tuesday night. It’s the second time that the Bucks beat the Hornets by more than 30 points in just the month of February.
While it would seem to be cause for alarm, the Hornets aren’t a very good team and are battling injuries. Lamelo Ball, arguably one of the top young players in the game, hasn’t suited up for the Hornets in 17 straight games, including tonight. Ball is averaging 23.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 8.0 assists on the season it’s just that he’s only played 22 total games.
Second-year center Mark Williams was averaging 12.7 points and 9.7 rebounds for the team until he injured his back. His return is expected in the next two weeks if all goes well. This leaves the team in the hands of Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller, who are both averaging in double figures and are talented young players, they’re just not able to support a franchise on their own.
What to watch for tonight
The 76ers are all over the place without Embiid. One minute they’re beating the Cavaliers twice in three nights and the next, they’re getting wiped up by teams like the Celtics, Knicks, and Warriors. The Knicks and Celtics are both ahead of the Sixers in the Eastern Conference but the Warriors are in 9th place in the west and not looking at all like the dynasty they once were.
While the Hornets are serious underdogs tonight, you have to remember that the 76ers’ starters have the amazing ability to make almost any team look like they’re very good. With poor shooting, poor passing, and a defense that looks like the Washington Generals, it’s hard to imagine a reason to tolerate a game between these two teams.
Then you remember, Tyrese Maxey will be on the court, Buddy Hield has yet to meet a basketball that he has hesitated in shooting, and players like Ricky Council IV keep getting minutes that are crucial to his development. The Sixers would be better off starting Council in Tobias Harris’s spot tonight given the slightly easier matchup.
Maxey getting over 35 points tonight is not out of the realm and Buddy getting over his mini shooting slump after lighting it up in Philly his first few games will be two big reasons to watch. After that it’s a few Council highlights and some KJ Martin defense.
Prediction
76ers 118 – Hornets 108
AP Photo/Charles Krupa
