Game Preview: Sixers Face Nuggets With No Embiid

It’s the final game of the Sixers' road trip as they look to snap a two-game losing streak in a big matchup against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.  

On Saturday night in Phoenix, the Sixers fell to the Suns 125-105. Tyrese Maxey led all scorers with 37 points on 14 of 19 shooting from the floor. Including 7 for 11 from three-point range. Joel Embiid added 28, a team-best 10 rebounds while registering two blocks as he played through a sore calf.

Tonight, Embiid will miss the highly anticipated matchup against Denver’s Nikola Jokic as both are looked at as MVP finalists yet again. The big fella sitting out is more of a precautionary reason according to the team. While Embiid sits out, they’ll get some help in the starting lineup with point guard James Harden returning after missing the last three games due to Achilles soreness. The team will absolutely need even more from Harden and the entire group with Embiid now out. Devin Booker led the Suns with 29 points in the win. 

The Sixers have eight games remaining on the regular season schedule with a 49-24 record. Four games at home and four on the road. Philadelphia has a 22-14 record away from home. They are back at The Center on Wednesday and Friday for a short homestand. The 76ers are still in third place in the East standings. They trail the Boston Celtics for the second seed by 2.5 games while leading the fourth-place Cleveland Cavaliers by 2. Denver is one game better than Philadelphia in the win column. They are even in losses with a 50-24 record.

Philadelphia defeated Denver in late January at home, 126-119, behind a tremendous team effort and a spectacular performance by Embiid in the head-to-head matchup with Jokic. Embiid posted a game-high in points and rebounds on that Saturday afternoon with 47 points and 18 rebounds. Harden chipped in with 17 points and a game-high 13 assists in a huge win over the Nuggets. 

Currently, on a three-game winning streak, the Nuggets won a Saturday night showdown in a battle of the top teams in each conference – downing the Milwaukee Bucks, 129-106. Jokic filled the stat sheet with a game-tying high of 31 points, six rebounds and 11 assists. Jamal Murray added 26 and nine assists, 19 and seven boards for Michael Porter Jr. The Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo tied Jokic for scoring honors with 31. 

It’s not going to be easy to defeat the Nuggets with Embiid out, but we’ve seen this team find a way all season long. Protect the basketball, hit the glass and they’ll give themselves a good chance tonight. 

There are not many more deflating plays in sports than being dunked on. Being put on a poster not only means the other team scored on you, but your goofy face as you react to it will be plastered all over social media. And maybe even on a poster on some kid's wall. But when it is your team's player pulling off the poster dunk, there are few things that get you out of your seat faster. And the Sixers are no strangers to big-time dunks.

Joel Embiid alone has several poster-worthy dunks. The rightful MVP is certainly not afraid of contact near the rim. Despite the cries from Jokic fans, there is a reason Embiid gets to the line so much. Because having him shoot FTs is better than the alternative. Which is him driving to the time and stealing some guy's soul with an explosive dunk. But it is not just him. Several Sixers players are responsible for eye-popping dunks this season. Including one guy who hasn't even stepped on the court in a Sixers game this season. But he put on quite a show in the dunk contest.