After falling to the Brooklyn Nets in tough fashion Tuesday night, the Philadelphia 76ers are back at home to take on the Memphis Grizzlies. On the back end of back-to-back games, the Sixers will continue to be without All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey but will also miss Kyle Lowry in tonight’s matchup.
Memphis beat the Nets on Monday night in Brooklyn and then had the day off on Tuesday, giving them some much-needed rest after playing three games in four nights.
Sixers vs Bucks betting info
Spread: Philadelphia 76ers -5.5 | Memphis Grizzlies +5.5
Moneyline: Philadelphia 76ers -218 | Memphis Grizzlies +180
Total: Over/Under 212
Sixers game information
Who: Memphis Grizzlies (21-41) at Philadelphia 76ers (35-26)
When: 7:30 pm EST
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia Pa
Watch: NBC Philadephia, NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Midwest
Latest on the Sixers
The Sixers missed All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey when they lost to the Nets on Tuesday night. Maxey was injured on Sunday against the Mavericks and was out with a concussion. For tonight’s game, Maxey is once again listed as out. In this second game of a back-to-back, Kyle Lowry has also been listed as out.
As a team, the Sixers shot well against the Nets despite missing three starters. The problem became that they just couldn’t put it together when. it counted as the Nets had five players score in double digits. Kelly Oubre Jr., coming off the bench, led all scorers with 30 points, but the Sixers couldn’t get scoring in the end from players like Buddy Hield, Cam Payne, and Kyle Lowry, who were all thrown into starting roles as the team is dealing with injuries.
Tobias Harris was on his way to another good game and seemed to disappear late as he finished with 18 points and nine rebounds. The Sixers are going to need Harris to step up as he had over the previous two games if they’re going to beat the Grizzlies.
Philadelphia is also going to need a combined good effort from Mo Bamba and Paul Reed at the center position. After two good games, the duo accounted for just nine points and five rebounds, which won’t cut it as the Sixers look to remain in the playoff race.
Latest on the Grizzlies
The Grizzlies have been absolutely destroyed by injuries this season. After missing the first 25 games of the season due to suspension, Ja Morant only played nine games before a shoulder injury shut him down for the season. In addition to Morant, the Grizzlies are missing Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane, Brandon Clarke, Derrick Rose, Ziaire Williamson, Yuta Watanabe, and Scottie Pippen Jr. The only starter that may play in tonight’s game is Jaren Jackson Jr., but he’s still listed as questionable with tendinitis in his right quad.
Despite all of the injuries, the Grizzlies were still able to beat the same Nets that the Sixers lost to, on Monday night. Luke Kennard led the team with 25 points and the Grizzlies had five other players all score in double digits. Tonight’s game will be more of the same with reserves and G-League call-ups filling out the Grizzlies roster as they hope to get another victory over a failing Eastern Conference foe.
What to watch for tonight
Your guess is as good as mine in terms of what excitement the teams will bring or what value there is in watching the game. The Sixers will need big games out of Tobias Harris and Buddy Hield, and they’ll have to step up on defense as a team. The Grizzlies will have a lineup that shouldn’t really be stating an NBA game, but therein lies the problem if you’re the Sixers.
With that many players, especially starters, missing time for the Grizzlies, they have lots of younger players and G-League guys that are looking to make a name for themselves when they have the time in the league. Teams with nothing to lose can be dangerous, especially when you’re facing a team that was considered a legitimate title contender before Joel Embiid was injured.
Let’s hope that Sixers head coach Nick Nurse gives some of the younger guys some minutes tonight. KJ Martin had 6 points against the Nets and could see some time, but most fans will be looking for Ricky Council IV to be on the floor, and this could be the game to get him some minutes. As the Sixers dropped to seventh in the league with their loss to the Nets, they can’t afford to lose to teams like the Grizzlies.
Prediction
Sixers 114 – Grizzlies 109
