Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Philadelphia 76ers (26-44) continue their five-game road trip with a stop in Oklahoma City for a match-up with Russell Westbrook and the Thunder (40-30). The Sixers have won two of their last three games and three of five while the Thunder have won five of their last six coming into tonight's game. The Sixers have dropped 15 straight games to the Thunder.
Philadelphia has been dealing with injuries throughout the year, but could get Jahlil Okafor back tonight. He's listed as questionable.
Last Meeting:
The Thunder and Sixers met on Opening Day, with OKC emerging victorious 103-97. It was Joel Embiid's regular season debut, as he scored 20 points to go along with seven rebounds in 22 minutes of action. Russell Westbrook, to no one's surprise, led Thunder scorers with 32 points in addition to 12 rebounds and nine assists. Westbrook and Embiid traded jumpers down the stretch, tying the game at 97. Westbrook gave OKC a two-point lead at the line and Enes Kanter sealed the win with a jumper following a Sixers turnover.
Holmes benefiting from Noel trade:
When the Sixers dealt Nerlens Noel to the Mavericks, most fans were irate about the return that Bryan Colangelo received for the young, rim-protecting big man. Over time, though, fans have gotten a more extended look at Richaun Holmes, and he hasn't disappointed. Although Noel may be the superior player overall, Holmes isn't too far behind. Since the trade, Holmes is averaging 13.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game while Noel is at 9.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. Richaun has scored 24 points and 9+ rebounds twice over the last 10 days. Noel only did that twice in his 171 game career with the Sixers. While some fans may continue to criticize the trade, it's given Holmes the opportunity to show the Sixers that he should be the number two guy behind Embiid next season.
Richaun had three blocks against the Thunder in the Sixers' first game of the season.
Sixers face former teammate Jerami Grant:
Sure, Philadelphia traded Nerlens Noel and Ersan Ilyasova, but let's not forget that Colangelo acquired Ilyasova early in the season for Jerami Grant, another fan favorite to many in Philadelphia. With Dario Saric on the team and the surplus of big men, there wasn't really a great spot for Grant on the Sixers, especially without a mid-range game. Grant added great defense and rim protection during his time with the Sixers, and he'll look to do the same thing as a member of the Thunder this evening.
"We have to come in and provide energy," Thunder forward Jerami Grant said. "We have to keep up the pace that our first group is going out and competing with. As long as we keep the energy up and stay consistent on both ends of the floor, we'll be fine." [ESPN.com]
In 67 games with the Thunder this season, Grant is averaging just 5.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 19.5 minutes per game. During the 2015-16 season with Philadelphia, he averaged 9.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, playing just under 27 minutes per game. Since the Thunder acquired Taj Gibson at the deadline, Grant hasn't seen as many minutes.
Westbrook heading towards history:
Russell Westbrook is one of the most explosive players in the NBA, whether it be with his speed, defense or passing. This year, he's looking to become the first NBA player since the early 1960's to average a triple-double. As it stands, Westbrook is averaging 31.4 points, 10.3 assists and 10.5 rebounds per game. That being said, he's shooting under 40 percent over the last 10 games, so if the Sixers defend him well, they could definitely keep things close.
Previous Game Rewind:
Sixers: Philadelphia looked like they were going to earn their third straight win, but they saw a 17-point third quarter lead dissipate as they fell to Orlando in overtime on Monday. The Sixers got into foul trouble late, with Dario Saric and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot fouling out in the fourth, Holmes fouling out in overtime and Robert Covington with five. The Magic outscored the Sixers 71-53 in the second half and overtime to comeback and get the win.
Thunder: Oklahoma City is coming off of a chippy 111-95 loss to the Warriors last time out, a game that featured shoving and technical fouls aplenty. Golden State controlled the game, leading by as many as 27, behind 34 points from Klay Thompson. The Warriors win swept the four-game season series against the Thunder. Golden State outscored the Thunder 34-17 in the second quarter to take a 20-point lead at the half. Westbrook scored eight points in three minutes to start the third and cut the lead to 12, but that's as close as OKC would get.
| Matchup Preview | March 22nd, 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Philadelphia 76ers (26-44, 9-25 Away) |
Oklahoma City Thunder (40-30, 26-10 Home) |
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Game Information:
Tip-off: 8:00 p.m.
Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
TV: CSN
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Stream Live: CSNPhilly.com, NBC Sports Life Extra
