Tip-Off: 6 PM CT
Location: Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Television: Bally Sports Oklahoma
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @ZacharyLowNBA for live-tweets and discussion during the game
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Philadelphia 76ers have had very different seasons since they first met back in the Thunder’s home opener in October. OKC has taken the route of the tank, while the Sixers have done everything they can to prove themselves as one of the top teams in the East despite missing Ben Simmons. Yesterday, the Sixers and the Brooklyn Nets made a trade that exchanged Simmons for James Harden, a move that could prove to be beneficial for both sides.
Tonight, the Thunder takes on the Sixers in Philadelphia, but Harden is not slated to play due to a sore hamstring, an injury that has bothered him at different points this season. Even without him, Philly is a tough matchup, and Joel Embiid is one monster of a nightmare for OKC, who doesn’t have a big man that can even come close to competing with him.
As a result of the mismatch, the Sixers are a double-digit favorites, and though the Thunder has been a quality underdog on the road this season, I’m not sure how close this one will be.
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Josh Giddey
- SG: Tre Mann
- SF: Luguentz Dort
- PF: Darius Bazley
- C: Derrick Favors
76ers
- PG: Tyrese Maxey
- SG: Furkan Korkmaz
- SF: Matisse Thybulle
- PF: Tobias Harris
- C: Joel Embiid
Injuries
Thunder
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is OUT (sprained right ankle).
- Mike Muscala is OUT (right ankle soreness).
- Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is OUT (third metatarsal fracture in right foot).
- Isaiah Roby is OUT (sprained right ankle).
- Paul Watson is OUT (not with team).
- Aaron Wiggins is OUT (sprained right ankle).
76ers
- Paul Millsap is QUESTIONABLE (personal reasons).
- James Harden is OUT (hamstring).
- Tyrese Maxey is QUESTIONABLE (right hamstring tightness).
- Shake Milton is QUESTIONABLE (back contusion).
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 20-6 against the Sixers (10-3 at home, 10-3 on the road).
- In 13 seasons, the Thunder has won the season series with the Sixers 9 times, tied it 3 times, and lost it once.
- The Thunder lost the season series with the 76ers a year ago 0-2 (0-1 at home, 0-1 on the road).
- The Thunder is 0-1 against the 76ers so far this season (0-1 at home, 0-0 on the road).