Tag: Joel Embiid

Sixers vs. Spurs preview: Sixers look to make it three wins in a row

The Philadelphia 76ers look to win three games in a row against the San Antonio Spurs.

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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Sixers using newfound stability to facilitate chemistry

With a truly stable roster for the first time in years, the new-look Sixers are looking to build championship-caliber chemistry.

The Philadelphia 76ers have gone through years of upheaval. From the losing and constant player movement of the process years to a roster that was revamped in-season last year as Elton Brand pushed the accelerator on the team’s push to contention, nothing has stayed the same for very long in the Sixers’ world.

Now, that has changed. The team has settled on the core roster construction it hopes will take it to the promised land, and every member of that core is under contract for the foreseeable future. And now, finally, the team has the opportunity to build the type of chemistry that can make the difference when teams find themselves in difficult circumstances like, for instance, tight playoff games/series.

ESPN’s Zach Lowe took a deep dive into the current state of the Sixers in which he shared some interesting tidbits regarding just how the team is going about building that chemistry.

Lowe notes the team celebration that occurred the night of Furkan Korkmaz’s game-winner against the Trail Blazers and how three nights later, in Utah, Ben Simmons joined Joel Embiid and some team staff to watch a Bulls-Lakers game in the hotel lounge. Simmons is noticing a difference. “The chemistry is much better. Guys are giving up their time to bond,” he told ESPN.

Lowe indicates that Al Horford and Tobias Harris have taken the lead in organizing team dinners, with Harris identifying the best steakhouse in each city they visit to please Embiid. Horford stresses the importance of such gatherings, and the team seems to be responding if you consider attendance a reliable indication.

Harris, meanwhile, has noticed a change in the reaction to losses, with the team taking on a much angrier mood in defeat. That, too, is a positive sign.

As the new-look Sixers try to find their way, a strong bond and getting to know each other off the court can only help that process along. On the court, there have been hiccups in this young season, and that will likely continue for a while longer. But news that the team is working to build camaraderie off the court, and finding success, is great news for the Sixers going forward and will only help to further serve the on-court goals.  [lawrence-related id=19822,19579]

 

Heat forward Jimmy Butler praises Sixers star Joel Embiid as ‘special’

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler has a lot of respect for Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid.

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The Philadelphia 76ers will welcome in an old friend on Saturday when they host Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat. Butler was a trade acquisition by the Sixers back in November of 2018 and Philadelphia was hoping that he, Joel Embiid, and Ben Simmons would lead the Sixers to long-term success.

Instead, Butler left for the Heat in free agency leaving the basketball world a bit stunned and the Sixers responded by re-signing Tobias Harris and acquiring Al Horford.

Butler’s short-lived Sixers career ended after 55 games with averages of 18.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists and he took on the role as the team’s closer. It also came with a lot of drama and he piqued everybody’s interest when he gave a vague reason for why he left Philadelphia for Miami over the summer.

That does not mean he doesn’t have respect for his former Sixers teammates, however, as in a recent interview with The Athletic’s Michael Lee, he had some high praise for Embiid saying:

“Because that (expletive) is special. For real,” Butler said. “Any time I text him, which we text plenty, FaceTime, phone calls. I always tell him, ‘Continue to show why you’re the best player in this league.’ Because I saw it. I saw it. He can do everything. Like, legit, he can do everything. He works and I respect it. He works. And then he’s in the house. He’s with his girlfriend. That’s how you become the best player, you’ve got to be obsessed with it. And he is. He is.

“I think the bond just grew from there, because he would always ask questions. We’d always watch film together. And yeah, we’d be joking around a lot, too. But he wants to do right and when he does wrong and you tell him, he’ll be like, ‘Yeah, you’re right. You’re right.’ I was like, you know what, you’re a real (expletive). When somebody tells you you’re wrong, you’re like, ‘Yeah.’ And thinking about it, you’re like, ‘OK, OK, I see what you’re talking about.’ If somebody tells me I’m wrong, I’m like, you could be right, or maybe I could’ve handled that better. Like, ‘Yeah, you’re probably right.’ ”

Embiid is one of the premier players in the league regardless of position and he shows off his talent nightly for the Sixers. He’s averaging 22.9 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in the early going for the 9-5 Sixers and he definitely still has a good relationship with Butler. During his brawl with Minnesota Timberwolves, Embiid dragged Butler into it with an Instagram comment and Butler knew he would be the one to drag him into it.

Regardless, Saturday figures to be an emotional game as Butler will probably hear a lot of boos from the Philadelphia faithful while Embiid has to battle against one of his close friends rather than by his side. [lawrence-related id=19794,19785,19777]

Knicks’ Marcus Morris on Joel Embiid: ‘He’s too big to be flopping’

New York Knicks forward Marcus Morris said Joel Embiid is too big to be flopping.

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The Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks renewed their rivalry on Wednesday night as the two teams met at the Wells Fargo Center. While the two teams are headed in completely different directions, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any fireworks whenever these two teams meet.

That was the case on Wednesday as Sixers big man Joel Embiid and Knicks forward Marcus Morris Sr. got into it a bit in the second quarter. Embiid was getting in position for an offensive rebound when Morris pulled him down to the ground. The result was double technical fouls called on each player and Morris was called for a flagrant-1 foul before play resumed.

After it was over, Morris had a few words for Embiid:

He’s just too big to be flopping, just to be flopping and grabbing. I’m just not the one who’s going to take that so, he knows that. He knows what I’m about.

The Sixers and the Knicks will meet again on November 29 at Madison Square Garden. [lawrence-related id=19736,19725,19727]

Joel Embiid says he will play both games of back-to-back this weekend

Sixers’ big man Joel Embiid says he plans to play both games of this weekend’s back-to-back against the Spurs and Heat.

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Joel Embiid helped lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 109-104 win over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night with an impressive stat line of 23 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. As solid as his game was, it was something he said after the game that caught our attention.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Embiid indicated that he plans to play both ends of this weekend’s upcoming back-to-back. The Sixers are slated to host the San Antonio Spurs on Friday and old friend Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat on Saturday. Typically, the Sixers have targeted back-to-backs for Embiid’s load management program, so it would certainly be noteworthy if he were to play in both games.

It makes sense that Embiid would want to play against his former teammate in Butler and the Heat are currently ahead of the Sixers in the standings.

However, the team is entering a busy stretch, with seven games in the next 12 days, including another back-to-back the following weekend, so it’s somewhat curious that the Sixers wouldn’t want to get Embiid some rest.

For now, it appears we’ll be seeing the big man in both games this weekend. Whether that is prudent or not is up for debate, but it’s encouraging that the team is confident enough in his health to allow him to do so.

 

Brett Brown, Joel Embiid praise Ben Simmons after Sixers win over Knicks

The Philadelphia 76ers have a lot of praise for Ben Simmons after a win over the New York Knicks.

The Philadelphia 76ers were searching for answers. They found themselves trailing the hapless New York Knicks by 17 at home in the third quarter and the boo birds were coming out. The team looked lifeless as they could not find any type of rhythm. Then, their All-Star leader at point guard woke up.

Ben Simmons led a big rally and helped the Sixers on both ends of the floor to end up knocking off the Knicks 109-104 to avoid what would have been a brutal loss. Simmons finished with 18 points, 13 assists, and seven rebounds and his play really sparked the Sixers to this win and coach Brett Brown knows it.

Brown stated afterward:

He was the bell ringer. I thought Ben’s intensity, defensive intensity was as good as it’s been. I think that him in his leadership, sort of controlling the game, and giving him the freesom to make play calls after free throws as an example and him doing a great job of being smart and what that looked like. I thought that he was outstanding with his presence. I really thought he helped change the whole landscape. Especially in the second half.

Joel Embiid, who led the Sixers with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists, has been a teammate with Simmons throughout their careers and he was happy with what he saw from his fellow All-Star teammate.

Embiid said:

His energy changed. Defensively, I think he caused one offensive foul and one turnover and from there, we just ran. James(Ennis) made like two threes and then Mike(Scott) came off the bench and knocked down some shots. We just kept running.That’s the whole thing, we’ve got to get stops and running and esepecially if teams are going to guard me the way they’ve been guarding me all season, doubling me the way they’ve been doubling me. I’ve just got to make the right play and just go from there.

The Sixers will continue this 3-game homestand on Friday when they welcome in the San Antonio Spurs. [lawrence-related id=19690,19684,19676]

How to Watch Philadelphia 76ers, NBA Live Stream, Knicks vs 76ers, Schedule, TV Channel, Start Time

Watch the Philadelphia 76ers Live Online.

Trusting the process has finally paid off in Philadelphia. After a long rebuilding period, the 76ers are now legitimate contenders in the Eastern Conference. In 2018, the young Sixers emerged as a serious threat late in the season with a remarkable 16-game win streak to close out the season. While their playoff run was cut short due to a loss to the eventual NBA champion Toronto Raptors, there’s a ton of expectations and hope for 2019. 

Watch the Philadelphia 76ers 2019-20 Season

Tonight: vs. New York Knicks, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 7:00 p.m. ET 

Local TV affiliate for the season: NBC Sports Philadelphia

Streaming option for the season: fuboTV (watch for free)

So far, so good for the Sixers. All-Star center Joel Embiid has picked up right where he left off last season. He’s averaging 22.3 points per game, while also averaging 11.8 rebounds. Couple him with offseason acquisition Al Horford, who is putting up 15.9 points and 7.4 boards per game, and they have formed one of the most formidable frontcourt tandems in the league. 

Philly isn’t just strong in the paint. In fact, the team has five players averaging double-figures in points. The Sixers also have a very solid bench to pull from in case of injury or fatigue. It’s for these reasons that many believe they’ll challenge for the top spot in the East. It won’t be easy with the likes of Milwaukee and Boston again looking strong, but there’s a ton of optimism around this talented bunch. 

Sixers November 2019 Schedule 

Tue, Nov. 12 vs. Cleveland 7:00 PM 

Wed, Nov. 13 @ Orlando 7:00 PM

Fri, Nov. 15 @ Oklahoma City 8:00 PM

Sun, Nov. 17 @ Cleveland 3:00 PM

Wed, Nov. 20 vs. New York 7:00 PM

Fri, Nov. 22 vs. San Antonio 8:00 PM

Sat, Nov. 23 vs. Miami 7:30 PM

Mon, Nov. 25 @ Toronto 7:30 PM

Wed, Nov. 27 vs. Sacramento 7:00 PM

Fri, Nov. 29 @ New York 7:30 PM

Sat, Nov. 30 vs. Indiana 7:00 PM

We recommend interesting sports viewing and streaming opportunities. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.

Sixers vs. Knicks preview: Sixers look to continue home dominance

The Philadelphia 76ers return home to host the New York Knicks.

The Philadelphia 76ers return home from a 3-game road trip that saw them drop the first two games, but then salvage a win in the finale of the trip to come home with some momentum. Their opponent on Wednesday night should offer the Sixers another “get right” game for them to shake off the cobwebs a bit.

Wednesday’s opponent, the hapless New York Knicks, come in with the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference at 4-10 and they have not been able to find any real groove or footing to begin the season. This is a good chance for the Sixers to really get some momentum going into the next phase of the season.

With that being said, it’s time for the preview with everything you have come to expect:

How to watch Sixers vs. Knicks

  • Date: Wednesday, November 20
  • Time: 7:00 p.m. EST
  • Location: Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia, PA
  • TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia

Injury Report

  • Sixers: NONE
  • Knicks: OUT: Reggie Bullock(neck), Elfrid Payton(right hamstring strain) PROBABLE: RJ Barret(left thumb sprain)

Storylines

Brown working out Sixers offense

The Sixers offense has looked out of sorts to begin the early season as they begin to really figure out the best way to work this oddly constructed roster. Coach Brett Brown has an uphill battle to really figure everything out and it won’t be an easy mission to complete.

Brown stated:

I think that my problems of conern at the moment are offensively related. It’s how do you take this team and grow it to where it’s functional and purposeful and I think that I said, and now that I’m living in it I mean it even more, I think it’s going to take every bit until Christmas to get some type of rhythm beat to what we do. Along that path, we will never forget, led by me, that we are a defensive based program and everything unravels if we don’t do that.

Horford thinks the defense can be better

On the flip side of things, the Sixers are expected to be an elite defensive team and heading into Wednesday’s game, the Sixers are ranked 11th in the league in defensive rating. It is not a terrible ranking for a team so new and one trying to work out a lot of kinks, but not where the Sixers expect to be.

Al Horford believes the defense can get better as he stated:

I think our defense is good, but I think it can be a lot better. I do believe that the more games we play and the more comfortable we get, the better it will be.

The more these guys play together, the better things will get better for this team as a whole.

Prediction

The Knicks are just not a good team. Julius Randle and RJ Barrett are good talents, but the roster as a whole is oddly constructed. Unlike the Sixers, the Knicks don’t have the talent to overcome the early awkwardness of the roster’s growing pains. Mitchell Robinson presents a challenge at the rim and he will give Joel Embiid a test down low, but the Sixers are the much more talented team and they should keep their record at home nice and clean.

Pick: Sixers by double-digits

Sixers vs. Knicks season series

Game 1 November 20:

Game 2 November 29:

Game 3 January 18:

Game 4 February 27:

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All 20 top 10 picks by the Philadelphia 76ers since 1969

Charles Barkley, Joel Embiid, Doug Collins, Ben Simmons are among the 20 players drafted in the top 10 by the Sixers in the last 50 years.

The Philadelphia 76ers have spent plenty of time around the bottom of the NBA standings. So much so that in the last 50 seasons, they have had 20 picks in the top 10 of the NBA Draft. Some players worked out while others fizzled.

1972: Freddie Boyd

NBA Photo Library/NBAE via Getty Images

Freddie Boyd was taken fifth overall out of Oregon State. He had the misfortune of playing on a team that went 9-73 in 1972-73. Boyd played three-plus seasons in Philly and averaged double digits once, going for 10.5 points per game as a rookie.

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