The Philadelphia 76ers are hosting the Denver Nuggets on Friday night as they look to extend their winnings streak to five games in the middle of their six-game homestand. As the Sixers, despite a rash of injuries, have come on strong of late, the Nuggets are in the midst of a three-game losing streak that has seen tough losses to the Knicks and Bulls after being blown out by the Timberwolves 133-104, this past Saturday.
Sixers game information
Who: Denver Nuggets (28-19) at Philadelphia 76ers (19-27)
When: 7:30 p.m. EST
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia, ESPN, ESPN2, Altitude, AFN
Latest on the Sixers
Despite their inconsistent shooting, the Sixers have shown over the last four games that they’re coming together, working better on the defensive end of the court and finding ways to win basketball games. The team has followed its new leader, Tyrese Maxey, who’s been on a run lately and rivals anyone in the game.
Over his last 10 games, Maxey has averaged 32 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 6.3 assists while shooting 48.1% from the field. While his three-point shooting is still down at 34.1% for the same period, he’s also shooting 98.4% from the free-throw line and using his speed to get there more often.
During the winnings streak, the Sixers have had help from the entire roster. There’ve been games where Kelly Oubre Jr. is putting up 20+ points and 10+ rebounds, Justin Edwards and Adem Bona have been either scoring points or playing exceptional defense, Guerschon Yabusele has had big moments, and then you get to the retirement home of the Sixers roster.
Eric Gordon has been nothing short of fantastic since he’s returned to the lineup. He’s providing the Sixers with 11.7 points per game, but, more importantly, Gordon has been shooting 52.8% on his three-point attempts over the last ten games. It’s a huge help to the team when Gordon has to be guarded. Reggie Jackson and Kyle Lowry combined against the Kings for 22 points, nine rebounds, and ten assists. While none have been great this season, they’re at least starting to pick up when the team needs them most.
Latest on the Nuggets
The Nuggets are coming to Philly and need a win because the past few games have been a mess for the team. After getting absolutely demolished by Minnesota, the team went to Chicago and then New York, where they were beaten quite well. The last win the Nuggets had was against the Kings last Thursday, two days after they completely destroyed the Sixers — By the way, the last game the Sixers lost was against the Nuggets.
The Nuggets are coming off a loss to the Knicks, in which the team shot just 35% from the three-point line and couldn’t stop the Knicks’ ball movement. While the Knicks were feeding each other and shooting well, the Nuggets were turning the ball over, missing shots, and looking a little bit lost. Nikola Jokic finished the game with just 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Jamal Murray is having a good year and finished the Knicks game with 33 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists while shooting well from the floor. Russell Westbrook had 14 points and 14 rebounds, Aaron Gordon had 15 points, and Christian Braun finished the game with 13, but it wasn’t enough to make up for Jokic and Michael Porter Jr.
When two players who usually give a team close to 48 points per game finish with 26 points, you know that it’s been a long night for both of them. When the other three starters are shooting 56% from the floor, it should be a good game, but Jokic and Porter Jr. combined to shoot just 39% from the floor, and the Nuggets fell again.
What to watch for tonight
Tonight is a simple game for the Sixers. They should play to their strengths in teamwork and defense over their last four games. They should utilize their drives, move the ball to create good looks for teammates and play tough defense against a team that has quite a few players who can score in bunches.
Also, revenge.
The last time the two teams met, Maxey and Yabusele both had good games, but the rest of the team just couldn’t get it together. But that started something in the team where they’ve all found roles and started their winning streak the very next game. While Maxey has been on fire lately, the Sixers will need Yabusele and Bona to do their best at controlling Jokic and contributing to the offensive side of the ball.
The game will come down to whether Oubre Jr. and Justin Edwards are able to control Braun and Porter Jr., who combined for 39 points in the last matchup. They’ll both be needed in the front and back courts as Maxey will not be able to keep control of Murray and Westbrook, even with the help of Gordon, Lowry, and Jackson. The real key is which Ricky Council Iv shows up, and if the past two games are any indicator, the Sixers may be extending this winning streak.
Prediction
Sixers 121 – Nuggets 117
