The Philadelphia 76ers have a real treat in store for tanking enthusiasts as they face an impressive Houston Rockets squad looking to extend a six-game win streak.
The Sixers are coming off a win on Sunday afternoon over possibly the only team in the NBA having a more unfortunate year, the Dallas Mavericks. It was one of the most well-rounded efforts from Philadelphia all season, if you can believe it, with seven Sixers scoring in the double-digits. Quentin Grimes continues to lead the way since coming to Philly, putting up 28 points on 10-for-19 field goal shooting in the contest.
This being the second of a back-to-back for the Sixers, though, means that the team has not yet submitted its injury report for Monday night’s contest. Recent availability patterns and known long-term injuries give us a relatively good idea who to expect out on the floor for Philly tonight, but we will update you when we know for sure.
Frankly, though, it likely will not matter. The Rockets are an incredibly talented, young squad currently sitting in second in the Western Conference on a six-game victory streak. Houston wants to extend this run any way they can, with the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies both right there with them in the West, with all three teams sitting at 43-25. The Rockets come into this matchup on a day’s rest, are off again Tuesday, and are a very healthy team. Amen Thompson remains sidelined after spraining his ankle earlier this month and Reed Sheppard, a rookie reserve guard, is out for the next few weeks with a fractured thumb.
That leaves the Sixers, down to maybe three and a half healthy players by now, to try to contain the likes of Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, Fred VanVleet and their entire depth chart of supporting characters.
To put it simply, Houston is a contending, healthy team looking to stay in the win column against an incredibly-depleted Philadelphia squad that isn’t exactly upset with losing right now. Talk about the different trajectories a season can take...
Speaking of the Sixers’ trajectory, let’s take a look at the draft lottery situation as of Monday morning. The Sixers are currently in sixth lottery position at 23-44 on the season.
Both Philadelphia as well as the Brooklyn Nets, currently fifth-worst in the NBA, won their games on Sunday, so it’s a wash there. Meanwhile, though, the Toronto Raptors lost on Sunday, pulling them within just half a game of the Sixers in sixth. The Raptors also play again tonight, visiting the Phoenix Suns at 10 p.m. ET.
This range of fifth through seventh lottery positions is neck-and-neck and one can imagine this will likely be the case right down to the bitter end.
The same things cannot be said about tonight’s game, however, that has all the hallmarks of a slaughter in the making. Even Grimes’ best efforts might not be able to slow this one down.
The Sixers and Rockets tip off in Houston at 8 p.m. ET.
Game Details
When: Monday, March 17, 8 p.m. ET
Where: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia+
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers