The first two nights in Texas have been flat-out embarrassing. Each of the two nights has been embarrassing in different fashions. The game against Dallas was one that makes the Sixers more of a laughing stock than the Lakers. Brett Brown losing his cool and kicking a ball after a disappointing play is also not a good look for a team many suspect are intentionally trying to lose.
Now, Brett Brown gets to face his old boss and mentor in Gregg Popovich. Naturally, he will want to put his best effort forth, being on display against the consensus best coach in the NBA.
Unfortunately for Brown, and any Sixers fan not down with the tanking plan and just can’t wait for their first win, the odds are severely stocked against them. You could start by looking at the fact that the Spurs are probably the best team in the NBA right now, while the Sixers are the worst. You could go by the home court advantage (believe me, that won’t be the only reason why the Spurs would win though), or just go off recent trends that show the Sixers have dropped six straight to the Spurs and 26 of 27 at home.
It’s hard to envision a scenario in which the Sixers do steal this game, so there are other things to look at instead of the score for this one. For one, the effort the Sixers put forth. The casual NBA fan tends to check-in on the Spurs and see what they are up to. So if they check in and see Philadelphia losing by 50, it furthers the tank conspiracy theories come back up and they become a bigger laughing stock. If they check in and see it’s a five-point game in the second half, well maybe Brown gets some praise for how well he has the guys prepared and ready to play. That would likely make his old boss proud. After all, last year he reportedly did tell a few Spurs that the Sixers will make the playoffs this season. I’m sure he wants to look like an overly optimistic one rather than a blatant fool.
Game Notes
- The Sixers have dropped their last 10 games in San Antonio.
- No official word yet, but there seems to be a decent chance the Spurs rest several key players. They are returning from a four-game road trip and have to face the Cavilers later this week, so this may be a fitting opportunity to not need the likes of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker for 90-110 minutes. Duncan and Parker each rested once against the Sixers.
- On the Texas road trip, the Sixers have shot 36.2% and just under 30% from three. It’s lead to an average of 78.5 points per game in the two contests.
- Only Oklahoma City averages less scoring than the Sixers do, as Philadelphia for the whole season averages 90 points per game. So with that kind of offensive output, you can understand why Brett Brown wants his players to consistently get back on defense.
Injuries:
Spurs: Starting center Tiago Splitter has both a calf and back injury and will not play. Spurs reserves Patty Mills (shoulder) and Marco Belinelli (groin) will also sit out the game.
Sixers: Alexey Schved (back) is day-to-day, while the usual trio of Joel Embiid (foot), Jerami Grant (ankle) and Jason Richardson (knee/foot) are out.
Projected Lineups: **Update: Noel and Carter-Williams will again sit to start.
Philadelphia:
PG- Tony Wroten
SG- Hollis Thompson
SF- Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
PF- Brandon Davies
C- Henry Sims
San Antonio:
PG- Tony Parker
SG- Danny Green
SF- Kawhi Leonard
PF- Aron Baynes
C- Tim Duncan
Prediction: The Sixers show some life, but the reigning champs wins this one 110-94.
