Brooklyn Nets v. Philadelphia Seventy Sixers
(25-28) (34-21)
Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020 • 8:00 PM ET
Wells Fargo Center • Philadelphia, PA
The only thing that could cool off two of the hottest teams in the league is the NBA All-Star break. The Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers, winners of three in a row, are set to host the Brooklyn Nets, who have won their last two contest, in the first game following the annual league All-Star celebration this Thursday in Philadelphia.
The Sixers boast one all-star Center Joel Embiid (22.9 PPG/11.9 RPG). The Net’s players will be well rested not having an All-Star participant this season. Kyrie Irving the team’s perennial All-Star may be perhaps playing with a chip on his shoulder having been snubbed from this year’s contest.
The Sixers are a bit of a team in search of a direction and have been enigmatic at times this year. They are a pedestrian 9 and 19 on the road and an amazing, league-best 25-2 at home. They currently sit in the 5th spot in the NBA Eastern Conference standings.
Center Joel Embiid comments on the team’s disparity on the road versus at home, “There’s something about playing in Philly. The crowd gets us going and it allows us to keep the energy up,” says Embiid.
The Nets currently hold the 7th spot in the East and Thursday’s game could be a preview of a potential first round matchup of the NBA playoffs much to the chagrin of Sixers Head Coach Brett Brown, “Brooklyn, like the town they represent is very gritty, they are always a tough out. We will have our hands full.”
Philly is led by Embiid and his running mate Ben Simmons (16.9 PPG/6.8 RPG). Simmons’ back court mate Tobias Harris has also been hot of late averaging 19 PPG in his last 5 outings.
Brooklyn counters with the dynamic duo of Kyrie Irving (27.4 PPG) and Spencer Dinwiddie (21 PPG). They are the highest scoring backcourt duo in the league.
The last time these two teams met the Sixers came out on top 117-111, with Embiid leading the way with 34. Dinwiddie had 22 for the Nets in a losing effort. Highlights of that matchup can be seen at www.nba.com/sixers .
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