Sixers finish their road trip in Brooklyn

By: Jesse Larch, Sports Talk Philly Staff

The Philadelphia 76ers (27-46) will travel to Barclays Center tonight to face the Brooklyn Nets (16-57) following a 107-94 loss to Paul George and the Indiana Pacers on Sunday night.

The Sixers are 1-3 on their current five-game road trip. but have reason to think that their fortunes will change in Brooklyn. The Sixers are 2-0 this season against the last-place Nets. 

Unfortunately for the Sixers, the Nets have won three of their last four games. 

Last Meeting:

The Sixers and Nets last met on January 8 when the Sixers defeated the Nets at Barclays Center by a score of 105-95. In that meeting the Sixers got a combined 42 points from Ersan Ilyasova, Nerlens Noel, and Joel Embiid, all players who will not appear for the Sixers on Tuesday night due to trade or injury. 

Embiid led the way with 20 points for the Sixers on that night. Brook Lopez led all scorers with 26 points. 

Jahlil Okafor shut down:

Sixers' center Jahlil Okafor has been shut down for the season after knee injuries have persisted following offseason meniscus surgery. 

Fortunately for the Sixers, Richaun Holmes and rookie Shawn Long have played extremely well with the increased minutes in Okafor's absence. Over his last ten games, Holmes is averaging 13.7 points and 7.4 rebounds in 25.9 minutes including a double-double against Indiana on Sunday when he scored 11 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Shawn Long also registered a double-double against Indiana, the first of his career in his tenth career game. Long had 15 points and 10 rebounds. 

Tiago Splitter, acquired in the Ersan Ilyasova trade, was recalled from the Delaware 87ers after he was assigned for a rehab assignment. Splitter will play in his first game in over a year to add depth to the frontcourt.

Saric looks to bounce back:

Dario Saric has been the team's best player since Embiid got injured, peaking with a career-high 32 points and 10 rebounds two games ago in Chicago. 

Unfortuntely Saric followed his career-night with 9 points on 3-15 shooting in the loss to Indiana. The poor shooting night ended a streak of 22 straight games of reahcing double digit points for Saric. 

Lin, Lopez meshing:

In the Nets victory on Sunday, Jeremy Lin (19) and Brook Lopez (23) combined for 42 points. The Nets spent much of the season without Lin, but they have been a much more effective group with Lin in the lineup, going 7-10 since his most recent return from injury. 

In the month of March, the Nets have posted a 109.6 offensive rating when Lin and Lopez share the floor. 

As a team, the Nets are averaging 108.5 points per game over their last 15 contests. 

The duo of Lin and Lopez will be on display against the Sixers Tuesday night. 

Previous Game Rewind:

Sixers: The Sixers responded poorly following a strong performance against the Chicago Bulls when they fell to the Indiana Pacers by a score of 107-94. The Sixers have leaned heavily on Dario Saric since Joel Embiid was shut down for the season, but for the first time since becoming the go-to guy, Saric did not come through, scoring nine points on 3-15 shooting. The Sixers are wrapping up a road trip in which they are 1-3 so far. 

Nets: Contrary to the Sixers recent struggles, the Nets are finding their stride. The Nets are 3-1 in their last four games, including an impressive 107-92 win over the Atlanta Hawks in Sunday. The nets had five players in double figures in the game, including Jeremy Lin and Brook Lopez who combined for 42 points. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson also chipped in 11 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double. 

Matchup Preview  |  March 28th, 2017
@ Original
Philadelphia 76ers
(27-46, 10-27 Away)
  Brooklyn Nets
(16-57, 10-27 Home)
PROJECTED STARTERS
TJ McConnell Point Guard Jeremy Lin
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot Shooting Guard Randy Foye
Robert Covington Small Forward Caris LeVert
Dario Saric Power Forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
Richaun Holmes Center Brook Lopez
INJURY REPORT
Jahlil Okafor/knee (out)  
Gerald Henderson/hip (out)  
Sergio Rodriguez/hamstring (questionable)  
Tiago Splitter (questionable)  

Game Information:

Tip-off: 7:30 p.m.

Location: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York

TV: CSN

Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

Stream Live: CSNPhilly.com, NBC Sports Life Extra 

Go to top button