Brandon Apter (@bapter23), Managing Editor
The Sixers (2-30) didn't start their six-game road trip off the best way, losing 113-100 to Milwaukee. As they headed to the west coast, the team was joined by new acquisition Ish Smith and associate head coach Mike D'Antoni. Though Smith isn't an elite point guard by any means, he helped stabilize the Sixers at that position, leading them to their first road win since March 25th. They had dropped 23 in a row prior to their win in Phoenix on Monday. Meanwhile, they head to Utah tonight to face a beatable, injury-plagued Jazz (12-16) team in search of putting together back-to-back victories for the first time in over a year.
Even though Jahlil Okafor sat out against the Suns on Monday, there was a new pep in the step of the Sixers, most notably Nerlens Noel. Noel and Ish Smith had developed a great chemistry during the point guards' stay in Philadelphia last season. It seems Smith's addition was just what Noel needed in terms of a confidence boost as he tallied his eighth double-double of the season with 14 points on 6-for-7 shooting to go along with 11 rebounds. The Sixers came out firing in the first quarter en route to a 29-15 score. Phoenix outscored them by eight (30-22) in the second, but Philadelphia came out strong in third and held off a Suns rally towards the end of the game. The Sixers led by 16 with a little over four minutes to go but the Suns brought things to within six. Unlike most games, Philadelphia was able to get some clutch shots, a big floating jumper by Ish Smith more specifically, down the stretch to close out win number two on the year. Isaiah Canaan had 22 points, four rebounds and three assists while Nik Stauskas came off the bench to score 17 on 7-for-10 shooting in what may have been his best game as a Sixer.
Meanwhile, the Jazz have been plagued with injuries this season and will now be without Alec Burks, who suffered a broken leg. Burks only played 27 games last season due to shoulder injuries and during his first game back against the Clippers on Saturday, he broke his left fibula. Utah remains without guard Dante Exum, who tore his ACL, and center Rudy Gobert sprained his MCL. Derrick Favors, averaging 16.8 points per game this season, missed the Clippers game with back issues, but is questionable for tonight's matchup. Despite their injuries, the Jazz only lost to LA by five, 109-104, on Saturday night. Gordon Hayward has been leading the Jazz scoring, averaging 18.6 points per game. He dropped 28 on Saturday and is averaging 26 points per game over the teams' last three home contests.
Game Notes:
- Jahlil Okafor will miss his second straight game with right knee soreness.
- Since 1988, the Jazz are 24-2 against the Sixers at home. The last time Philadelphia won in Utah was on January 5th, 2005.
- The Sixers haven't won consecutive road games since Dec, 21-23, 2014, losing 44 of 47 away from Philadelphia since.
- Ish Smith had 14 points and five assists in his debut for Philadelphia on Monday night in Phoenix.
- The Jazz have lost six of their last eight games and seven of their last 10. They allow 97.6 points per game, fifth most in the NBA.
- Philadelphia scored just 71 points in the first meeting between the two teams this season.
Lineups:
Sixers:
PG – Ish Smith - 9.0 ppg, 5.7 apg
SG – Isaiah Canaan - 11.3 ppg, 2.1 apg
SF – Robert Covington - 11.8, 5.8 rpg
PF – Jerami Grant - 9.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg
C – Nerlens Noel - 10.0 ppg, 7.9 rpg
Injuries: Joel Embiid (broken right foot rehab, out), Jahlil Okafor (right knee soreness, out).
Jazz
PG – Raul Neto - 5.3 ppg, 2.2 apg
SG – Rodney Hood - 12.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg
SF – Gordon Hayward - 18.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg
PF – Trey Lyles - 2.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg
C - Jeff Withey - 3.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg
Injuries: Alec Burks (fractured left fibula, out), Dante Exum (left ACL rehabilitation, out), Derrick Favors (back spasms, TBD), Rudy Gobert (MCL sprain, left knee, out)
Game Information:
Tip-off: 9:00PM
Location: Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
TV: Comcast Sportsnet
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Live Stream: CSNPhilly.com, NBC Sports Live! Extra
