Game Preview: Sixers at Trailblazers
Following a sweep of the two Los Angeles teams, the 76ers look to remain undefeated as they turn their attention to Portland and another tough opponent for another evening of late-night hoops. Tonight, the 28-16 Sixers continue their trek out West for their first meeting of the season with the 21-23 Portland Trailblazers at the Moda Center in Portland Oregon.
Philadelphia is currently riding a three-game winning streak. All on the road during this five-game road trip. The latest being a 10-point win, 120-110, over the Los Angeles Clippers. The Blazers also played that night in Denver, falling to the Nuggets, 122-113. Philadelphia is now two games over .500 on the road at 11-9. While Portland is 11-8 on their home floor. The 76ers have now won 16 of the last 20 games played. Including six of their last eight played on the road. Thanks to the win on Tuesday night and a little help from the teams directly around them, only a half a game separates them and the Milwaukee Bucks for the second seed in the Eastern Conference standings. So, another opportunity for them to handle their business and continue to climb in the standings because of their good play.
The Trailblazers are no secret when it comes to who needs to be slowed down in order to defeat them. For the last 11 seasons, the answer has been the same. All-Star and NBA Anniversary 75 member Damian Lillard. The future Hall of Famer is back to his old self. After missing a good chunk of time a season ago due to injury, Lillard is leading the team in scoring and assists, dropping 29 points while handing out seven assists per game. On Tuesday night in the loss to the Nuggets, the dynamic guard finished with a game-best 44 points, including six made threes and eight assists in defeat. Sixers guard De’Anthony Melton and others will certainly look to slow him down tonight.
Probable Starters:
PHI: Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris, PJ Tucker, De’Anthony Melton and James Harden
POR: Jusuf Nurkic, Jerami Grant, Josh Hart, Anfernee Simons and Damian Lillard
