The Philadelphia 76ers knew they were going into this four-game California road trip shorthanded down Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons and then they lost Josh Richardson in the first game of the trip. After dropping both games in Los Angeles, they were able to come together and pick up a much-needed win over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday. Now, they are in a position for a big 2-2 road trip.
Their opponent on Saturday is the Golden State Warriors who have had a tough season due to the rash of injuries they have been hit with. However, they have welcomed back Stephen Curry recently to their lineup and that alone makes them a tough team to handle. He had a successful individual return to the lineup with 23 points, seven assists, and six rebounds in a loss to the Toronto Raptors.
With that being said, it’s time for the game guide to this one:
How to watch Sixers vs. Warriors
- Date: Saturday, March 7
- Time: 8:30 p.m. EST
- Location: Chase Center San Francisco, CA
- TV: ABC
Injury Report
- Sixers: OUT: Ben Simmons (nerve impingement in back), Joel Embiid (left shoulder sprain), Josh Richardson (concussion)
- Warriors: OUT: Klay Thompson (left ACL rehab), Kevon Looney (left hip soreness), Ky Bowman (right ankle sprain), Alen Smailagic (right quadriceps contusion) QUESTIONABLE: Draymond Green (left knee soreness)
Storylines
Sixers finally win a road game
The win over the Kings on Thursday snapped a lengthy road losing skid that reached nine games and it spanned more than a month. Their last win on the road before Thursday came all the way back on January 20 against the Brooklyn Nets and the team realized that enough was enough heading into the Golden 1 Center. They needed to win a road game.
“When you hear that date, you’re aware that we have not had the success we need to on the road,” said coach Brett Brown. “When you hear a date like that, you’re reminded of enough is enough. I think we just came out of Los Angeles playing a Clippers team that we felt like we could have won the game. I thought we played well.”
Burks filling a role
The Sixers acquired Alec Burks from the Warriors hoping he can provide an instant offense scoring punch off their bench. After dropping 17 points against the Kings on Thursday, they got just that. He was a huge help off their bench and he will need to continue adding that scoring punch as the season wears on.
“That’s what you’re always hoping,” said Brown. “To think that’s what you do every single night is ambitious. We want to get that more than we do. It’s easy for me to say that. I have to help him sometimes – put him in situations, make sure I get him on the court, time and the minutes. It’s a judgment thing. Sometimes when people aren’t going, you’re going to go to Furk or you’re going to let Matisse fly up and down and tap into Matisse’s defense. Therefore, there are options we have, but by and large, that’s what Alec does. That’s why he was brought in and tonight, we saw why.”
Prediction
The Sixers have put themselves in a very favorable position. Things did not look good after the two losses in Los Angeles and the injuries continuing to pile up, but they were able to beat the Kings led by Tobias Harris and Al Horford and now need to win this one. Curry’s return is very dangerous and will cause some issues, but Philadelphia should be able to beat an inexperienced Golden State team around Curry.
Pick: Sixers in a close one
Sixers vs. Warriors season series
Game 1 January 28: 115-104 Sixers
Game 2 March 7:
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