By: Brandon Apter, managing editor 
The Sixers (9-64) have lost a lot of games, but their last two have been decided in the final seconds. On Wednesday, they led the Nuggets by two with 3.1 seconds to go and lost on a circus buzzer-beating three pointer from Emmanuel Mudiay. Three nights later, in Portland, they fought back from another double-digit deficit only to see C.J. McCollum split a double team to take the lead with a layup, having just 7.6 second to go. Jerami Grant missed two free throws and they lost 108-105. Tonight, they have a very tough test in the defending champion Warriors (65-7) for an 8pm matchup. The Sixers and Warriors have a 56.5 game difference between them in the standings, second-most in any NBA game in the league's history.
The Sixers lost three players to injury during the game against Portland on Saturday, but still managed to nearly pull of an upset over Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers. Richaun Holmes left with an Achillies strain, Sonny Weems strained his quad and T.J. McConnell dislocated a finger and was cleared to return, but didn't. Philadelphia came back from a 16-point hole and tied the game with just under 24 seconds to go following an Ish Smith jumpshot, part of a 13-0 run. On the ensuing in bounds play by Portland, the Sixers double teamed Lillard and the C.J. McCollum. C.J. managed to split the double team of Ish Smith and Robert Covington to drive in for a relatively uncontested layup while being fouled, setting up the three-point play.
With 7.6 seconds to go, the Sixers could've tied with a three, but instead Portland fouled Jerami Grant to send him to the line and avoid Philadelphia attempting a three. Grant missed both free throws, the second of which he missed the basket on purpose in attempt to get the offensive board, but that was a violation and the Trail Blazers got the ball back. The Sixers, for whatever reason, did not foul Portland in the remaining seconds and lost 108-105. Ish Smith was one assist shy of a triple double. He finished with 17 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists. Robert Covington had 17 points and 11 board while Hollis Thompson also had 17 to go along with seven boards. Covington shot just 1-for-9 from beyond the arc.
The Warriors, 34-0 at home this season, are coming off of a 128-120 victory over Dallas, their third straight win and their 10th victory in their last 11. The Warriors are currently chasing the 1992-93 Bulls, who won 72 games on the season. Golden State needs to win eight of their last 10 to match their record. Against Dallas, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson combined to hit 14 three-point shots, scoring 33 and 40 points respectively.
Game Notes:
- Golden State has an NBA-record 938 three-pointers made this season, eclipsing Houston's 933 from last year.
- The last time these two teams met, Philadelphia nearly pulled off a mammoth upset, losing on a last second corner three pointer by Harrison Barnes. Curry and Thompson combined to score 55 points, making nine three-pointers.
- The Warriors win against the Mavericks marked their 34th straight win at home this season and 52nd straight overall.
- Philadelphia's loss to Portland was their 8th in a row and their 21st defeat in the last 22 games. They need to win one more game to avoid becoming the worst team in NBA history.
- Steph Curry has averaged 19.1 points against the Sixers during his career, his second-lowest total against any opponent.
- The Sixers have lost five straight to the Warriors by an average of 22.2 points.
Projected Lineups
Sixers
PG – Ish Smith (12.4 ppg, 6.4 apg)
SG – Isaiah Canaan (10.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg)
SF – Hollis Thompson (9.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg)
PF – Jerami Grant (9.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg)
C – Carl Landry (8.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg)
Injuries: Nerlens Noel (out, knee), Richaun Holmes (Achillies strain, questionable), Sonny Weems (quad strain, questionable)
Warriors
PG – Stephen Curry (30.2 ppg, 6.6 apg)
SG – Klay Thompson (22.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg)
SF – Harrison Barnes (11.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg)
PF – Draymond Green (13.8 ppg, 9.6 rpg)
C – Andrew Bogut (5.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg)
Injuries: Kevon Looney (hip, game time decision), Festus Ezeli (knee, out), Andre Iguodala (ankle, out)
Game Information:
Tip-off: 8:00pm
Location: Oracle Arena, Oakland, California
TV: Comcast Sportsnet
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Live stream: NBC Sports Live Extra, NBA League Pass
