The Philadelphia 76ers return home on Monday after yet another road loss. They have the best home record in the league at 26-2 and even though they will be down own starter, maybe two, them being at home is a big difference for this team. They shoot better at home and they are a better defensive team as well.
The opponent on Monday is the Atlanta Hawks who handed the Sixers a loss in their previous matchup. Of course, that loss was on the road in Atlanta where Philadelphia struggles. Back at home, the Sixers will have to handle their business and corral Trae Young as best they can.
With that said, it’s time for the guide to this one:
How to watch Sixers vs. Hawks
- Date: Monday, February 24
- Time: 7:00 p.m. EST
- Location: Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia, PA
- TV: NBATV, NBC Sports Philadelphia
Injury Report
- Sixers: OUT: Ben Simmons (lower back injury) DOUBTFUL: Tobias Harris (right knee contusion)
- Hawks: OUT: Clint Capela (right plantar fasciitis), Skal Labissiere (left knee), DeAndre’ Bembry (abdominal pain)
Storylines
Embiid accepts responsibility
Without Ben Simmons, the Sixers will have to turn to Joel Embiid to take on more responsibility and lead this team to a win. He did not do so on Saturday against the Milwaukee Bucks where he struggled and he did not lead the defensive effort either as they struggled mightily on that end. Afterward, he accepted this fact and he knows he has to do more.
“We never got in a rhythm,” said Embiid. “Losing Ben, that was a big moment of the game and then foul trouble, not making shots and some shots and some calls that could have gone different ways. It’s on us. I still feel like we played hard. Shots couldn’t fall. We missed a lot of easy ones. I missed a lot of easy ones. I didn’t shoot that I should have. I felt like I had it, but I didn’t show it. It’s on me.”
Sixers react to no Simmons
Without Simmons, Philadelphia will have to figure out how to run things on offense and they will have to step up on the defensive end. To add to the fact that Simmons is already out, they could also be without Tobias Harris. Other players will have to step up to fill the void, especially on the defensive end of the floor.
“You have to be,” said coach Brett Brown. “When you say ‘Can you do it without Ben and Joel?’, in the large majority of the game or the third period that we’re speaking about, it’s difficult but I feel that with the group we have, whoever is on the floor, we have to play better. I have to coach better, they have to play better, and tonight you give Milwaukee credit, because we just didn’t do that.”
Prediction
The Sixers are short-handed, but they are at home. That makes such a huge difference for this team. The Hawks will not roll over and they will challenge them as Young and John Collins offer a lot of problems the Sixers must figure out. Without Simmons to defend Young on the perimeter, a lot of pressure will fall on Josh Richardson, Matisse Thybulle, and Glenn Robinson III. In terms of Collins, both Embiid and Al Horford will have their hands full with them.
Pick: Sixers in a close one
Sixers vs. Hawks season series
Game 1 October 28: 105-103 Sixers
Game 2 January 30: 127-117 Hawks
Game 3 February 24:
Game 4 March 21:
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