The Philadelphia 76ers continue life inside the bubble on Tuesday when they take on the red hot Phoenix Suns. On top of that, they are going to enter this game really shorthanded down at least three starters in Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Josh Richardson and they could be down more by the time this one starts.
On the Suns side of things, they are undefeated so far in the bubble and they are making a serious push for the play-in tournament for the 8 seed in the West. Led by the explosive Devin Booker, the Suns are getting things done on the floor and they are playing some desperation basketball which should set the Sixers on high alert.
With that said, let’s get into the game preview to this one:
How to watch Sixers vs. Suns
- Date: Tuesday, August 11
- Time: 4:30 p.m. EST
- Location: VISA Athletic Center Orlando, FL
- TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Injury Report
- Sixers: OUT: Ben Simmons (left knee surgery), Joel Embiid (left ankle), Josh Richardson (rest) QUESTIONABLE: Al Horford (left ankle soreness), Tobias Harris (right ankle soreness)
- Suns: NOT YET SUBMITTED
Storylines
Thybulle defending Booker
With Richardson out for this game, coach Brett Brown will turn to defensive wizard Matisse Thybulle to defend Booker in this one. This can be a huge test for him in terms of what’s to come in the playoffs. The Sixers will probably be facing the Boston Celtics who have a stable of elite perimeter scorers and this matchup with Booker will prepare him for those games.
“It’s fantastic preparation for what’s right around the corner,” said Brown. “With Matisse as you start playing the ‘what if?’ game, if you play Miami, you play Boston, who’s he going to guard? You can come up quickly with people he would be attached to as far as who’s the group of people, say two-three maybe tops that he will be responsible guarding on the Celtics or the Heat or whoever. He never is not in that discussion.”
Scott at center
Another big change in this matchup on Tuesday will be the use of Mike Scott at center. Without Embiid, the Sixers turned to Scott to play some center minutes against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday so one can expect he will get those minutes again on Tuesday against DeAndre Ayton.
“I like it,” Scott said. “Defensively, I just got to make sure I keep my man off the boards. If they’ve got a strong post-up guy like Nurkic, just try to make it difficult for him, use quickness, and restrain him a little bit. Offensively, I get to pick-and-pop and space to shoot and make a play for my teammates so I enjoy.”
Prediction
The Sixers are shorthanded in the worst way already down three starters and there is a possibility they will be down more. The Suns are fighting for their playoff lives as they have not been in the postseason since the days of Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudmire in 2010. That is a bad combination for a Sixers team that has already allowed a guy to score 50+ points twice inside the bubble. Booker could be the next one.
Pick: Suns in a close one
Sixers vs. Suns season series
November 4: 119-104 Suns
August 11:
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