The Philadelphia 76ers are feeling good being back home after a 1-2 road trip. They knocked off the New York Knicks on Wednesday to remain a perfect 5-0 at home. It wasn’t an easy win by any sort, but a win is a win and it showed off the team’s ability to dig deep and rally from being down big once again.
In come the San Antonio Spurs who are entering on a very un-Spurs like 7-game losing skid. The Spurs are 28th in the league in defensive rating at 114.0 and that type of defense is surprising from a Gregg Popovich coached team.
With that being said, it’s time to break down the matchup with the TV guide, injury report, storylines, and a prediction:
How to watch Sixers vs. Spurs
- Date: Friday, November 22
- Time: 8:00 p.m. EST
- Location: Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia, PA
- TV: ESPN, NBC Sports Philadelphia
Injury Report
- Sixers: QUESTIONABLE: Josh Richardson(right hip flexor), Trey Burke(left knee and ankle soreness)
- Spurs: QUESTIONABLE: Derrick White(left foot soreness)
Storylines
Brown’s respect for Pop
Sixers coach Brett Brown has had plenty of matchups against his former mentor, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, but it’s still always special when they matchup. Brown also does not care what record the Spurs are carrying into the game nor does he care for their 7-game losing skid. He has too much respect for what they have done to sleep on them.
Brown stated on Thursday:
I didn’t even know that number. I don’t care what the number is. They’re coahed by Gregg Popovich and I know the large majority of their coaching staff still exists, not as many of the players, and so I don’t even pay attention to it. I really don’t. My fondness and my respect for Pop and my friendship with Pop is extended 2+ decades and I just don’t care what they’ve been doing and if they had won 15 in a row, I’d give you the same answer. All’s I’m doing is looking down there and seeing Pop and the San Antonio Spurs and I know we better bring our A-game or we’re going to be in for a long night.
Horford not worried about struggles
Al Horford was one of the more hyped free agency pickups over the summer, but has yet to really find his niche offensively. His shooting percentages are down across the board from his 2018-19 season with the Boston Celtics and it’s easy to really begin worrying about him, but the veteran isn’t worried at all. He stated on Thursday at practice:
It’s just the more organized that we are and the more that we understand kind of where we want to be on the court, that determines that. For me, it’s just making sure that I stay ready. I’ve been putting in the work so I just have to continue to do that. I know I’ll be fine.
Prediction
This is not the Spurs of old. There is no Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, or Kawhi Leonard to lead the way. Instead, it’s LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan trying to lead the way and they don’t have the same type of mystique that the Spurs teams of the past. This is another game that Philadelphia should be able to win at home and it gives Joel Embiid a chance to dominate in the paint.
Pick: Sixers win by nine
Sixers vs. Spurs season series
Game 1 November 22:
Game 2 April 10:
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