The red-hot Sixers are putting their four-game winning streak on the line Friday night against a struggling Nuggets team thatโs desperate to snap out of their recent slump.
Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
Tyrese Maxey has been absolutely on fire for the Sixers, putting up an incredible 29.1 points per game in January โ his best monthly performance of the season. Heโs had to step up big time with several key players sidelined.
The 76ers will once again be without Paul George, as the nine-time All-Starโs nagging finger injury keeps him on the bench. Theyโre also missing Joel Embiid due to knee swelling, along with KJ Martin, Caleb Martin, Andre Drummond, and Jared McCain.
But even with their injury troubles, Philly has somehow found their groove lately. Their recent surge has pushed them right back into the playoff conversation.
The defending champion Nuggets, meanwhile, are going through their roughest patch of the season. Theyโve dropped three straight, including a shocking loss to the Bulls and defeats against the Knicks and Timberwolves.
Hereโs whatโs weird: Denverโs offense isnโt the problem. Theyโve been putting up points just fine. Itโs their defense thatโs falling apart โ theyโve given up 120+ points in four straight games.
The Nuggets are coming in mostly healthy, with only Vlatko Cancar and DaRon Holmes II out of action.
Oddsmakers are still backing Denver despite their recent struggles. Theyโre 9-point favorites on the road, according to BetOnline.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN, Altitude, and NBCS-PH.
With Denverโs superior depth and Phillyโs injury-depleted roster, this might be where the Sixersโ winning streak finally hits a wall โ but theyโve been proving doubters wrong all week.
