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The San Antonio Spurs might catch a break on Wednesday when they look to get back in the win column.
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Following an ugly home loss to the Clippers, the Spurs hit the road for a matchup with the best home team in the Association, and they could be facing the Philadelphia 76ers without two of their starters as both Ben Simmons and Jimmy Butler are ailing. Butler didn’t play the last time out and it didn’t matter as the Sixers recorded their 21st home win by thrashing the Rockets.
San Antonio Spurs at Philadelphia 76ers
Date and Time: Wednesday, January 23, 2019, 8 p.m. ET
Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Opening NBA Odds: (Check Back Later)
Spurs at 76ers TV Coverage: ESPN
Odds Analysis
A recent run that saw the Spurs win eight of 11 games catapulted them into more familiar territory in the West, but it’s still been a struggle for them as they continue the search for an identity. It’s like the Spurs are waiting for Tim Duncan and Tony Parker to return, but that ain’t happening. They have played with better results since a loss to the Lakers in early December dropped them a season-high three games below .500. They have gone 16-7 since then and just when they start to look like the Spurs of old, they offer up a clunker like the loss to the Clips on Sunday.
A reason why the Spurs can’t get over the hurdle has been their play on the road. Usually a strong road team under Gregg Popovich, the Spurs are just 9-14 away from home this season, though they have played better winning their last two roadies.
It’s been just the opposite for the Sixers, who have the second-most home wins in the NBA. They had lost two of three at Wells Fargo Center before a 28-point win over the Rockets on Monday restored some order. A loss to Atlanta a few weeks ago woke them up and the Sixers have won four of five with three of those victories by at least 24 points.
Spurs
One thing Pop preaches to his team is fundamentals, yet the Spurs haven’t fully grasped the concept. Turnovers have been an issue all season and their inability to take care of the basketball played a major role in their loss to the Clippers. The Spurs committed 18 turnovers and made just 53 percent of their free throw attempts in the 103-95 loss, offsetting another strong game from LaMarcus Aldridge, who scored 30 points and grabbed 14 boards.
With DeMar DeRozan experiencing accuracy issues with his shot, the scoring load has fallen on LA with nice results. Aldridge has scored at least 30 points four times in the last 12 games, including his monstrous 56-point outing against OKC. But the Spurs need additional scoring and DeRozan leads the team with over 21 points per outing. However, following his 4 of 16 shooting night for eight points against the Clips, DeRozan has gone six straight games failing to reach the 20-point mark.
76ers
There comes a time during the course of a season when teams are forced to deal with adversity. This is one of those times for the Sixers, who are facing the likely absence of Simmons and Butler for this game. The good news is that neither is expected to miss an extended period of time. The bad news is that the team’s depth will be tested. Butler sat out the last game with a sore wrist, but Joel Embiid made up for the absence.
Dealing with his own back issues, Embiid wasn’t going to forego the chance to compete against James Harden. And Embiid won the battle by scoring 32 points with 14 rebounds. Listed as questionable before the game, Embiid wanted to play and was a menace scoring 24 first-half points.
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With DeRozan struggling and Simmons questionable with a respiratory infection, we can expect Aldridge and Embiid to have even bigger roles in their team’s offense. And if it comes down to a one-on-one competition, I’d have to give the edge to Philly’s big man. Embiid showed up Harden the last time out and he’s been a force all season averaging 27 points and 13.2 rebounds per contest. The Sixers also got huge contributions from Landry Shamet and Corey Brewer against the Rockets, easing some concerns Brett Brown had about his team’s depth. And I think the Sixers are looking to atone for the 123-96 loss they suffered in Texas in December.
NBA Score Prediction: Sixers 112, Spurs 104
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