Hospital Sixers in for tough night against league-best Thunder
After an ugly yet ultimately victorious night against the Jazz On Saturday, the Sixers have gone 4-1 in their final 5 video games. Sure, it could have included a number of opponents attempting to tank, nevertheless it is not too dangerous contemplating the Sixers have been lacking all their stars. Crucially, it is saved them alive in the playoff image at seventh in the East, fairly than slipping any additional down the extremely tight convention standings.
The story is perhaps a little completely different on Monday, although: they’re welcoming the most effective workforce in the NBA to Philly.
Even although the Pistons and Spurs are inside three or 4 wins of the Thunder, OKC nonetheless sit atop the league with their 56-15 document.
The Sixers are going to need to compete shorthanded but once more too. Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Johni Broome all stay out. And as in the event that they weren’t already down sufficient rotation gamers, Dominick Barlow is simply uncertain to return after struggling a left ankle sprain against Utah.
For the Thunder, the notable absence is beginning guard Ajay Mitchell, who’s suspended one recreation following the Wizards-Thunder altercation.
Meanwhile, the Thunder are getting extra firepower again — as in the event that they even wanted it for this recreation. 2025 All-Star Jalen Williams, who was having one other high quality season this 12 months earlier than being out since mid February with a hamstring harm, is now out there.
With a wonderful offense and the league’s prime protection, stellar top-end expertise and unbeatable depth, the Thunder comfortably have the league’s prime internet ranking at a ridiculous +11.0 — method forward of the second-place Pistons and Celtics, tied at +8.0.
There are clearly going to be nightmare matchups throughout the board in this one. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is but once more taking part in like an MVP-level drive this season after profitable the award final 12 months. His scoring has in some way develop into much more environment friendly, as he is racking up 31.6 factors per recreation with improved three-point accuracy (39.0 %), an absurd career-high of 60.0 % from two-point vary (together with 76.2 % inside three toes) and, unsurprisingly, a career-high 66.5 true share capturing because of this.
Shai goes to get his factors against anybody, nevertheless it’s good expertise for VJ Edgecombe to compete his hardest, use his athleticism, and see if he can disrupt some of Shai’s possessions no less than.
First-time All-Star Chet Holmgren is having his greatest season but too, and can give these smaller Sixers (and Adem Bona and Andre Drummond when he is at heart) loads of work to cowl floor against his mobility, dimension, and vary from the arc. Paired with Isaiah Hartenstein’s talent, dimension and powerful rebounding at heart, the Sixers’ frontcourt is de facto going to be bullied with out Embiid round.
With a bunch of different expertise in their guard and wing rotation as nicely, offering capturing and/or prime protection — from Cason Wallace to Lu Dort and Alex Caruso — there actually isn’t any letup when dealing with the Thunder.
And then lastly, there’s the opposite guard we’ve to say… Jared McCain. He was all the time going to thrive in an offense with as a lot stability, playmaking, and spacing as OKC’s, and he hasn’t hesitated to do exactly that with the strong play time he is had already. McCain already has 4 20-point video games in his temporary spell with OKC, in comparison with a mere one with the Sixers this season.
He’s averaging 12.3 factors on a 62.0 true capturing share by his first 19 video games there. McCain seems to be proper at residence in the Thunder offense with the way in which he is getting open off the ball, operating off screens, and creating off the bounce for himself. It would not be shocking to see him deliver a bit of additional hearth against the workforce that foolishly traded him away.
As particular as Edgecombe’s arrival has been for the Sixers this season, and nearly as good as he is regarded during the last two video games along with his profession night against the Kings and 22-point, 13-rebound double-double against Utah, attempting to paved the way against this Thunder protection is one other type of recreation altogether. That stated, even when (when) the Sixers get crushed, Edgecombe delivering against the NBA’s greatest protection could be a enjoyable assertion for the rook to come back away with.
Hopefully for the Sixers, Quentin Grimes can hold his sturdy play rolling after averaging 24.6 factors during the last 5 video games. And if Justin Edwards can discover the type of groove he had in his 32-point, seven-triple outburst against Kings too, that’ll make issues a little extra attention-grabbing.
None of that can actually matter a lot in this one, although. It’s arduous for any workforce to beat the Thunder on a great day, not to mention the Sixers in their present state.
At least final week was a hit for the Sixers’ place in the East. And as soon as they get by what is going to seemingly be a brutal loss on Monday, life will no less than get simpler for them for the remainder of the week with the Bulls then Hornets for their subsequent two video games.
When: Monday, March 23, 7:00 pm ET
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers
