Game Details

  • Tip Off:  7:30 p.m. (PT)
  • Television: CSN-BA

Philadelphia 76ers Team Profile

  • Offensive Efficiency: 100.9 (16th in NBA)
  • Defensive Efficiency: 102.9 (tied for 16th in NBA)

Leaders

  • Leaders: Jrue Holiday, 18.1 PPG
  • Rebounds: Thaddeus Young, 7.2 RPG
  • Assists: Jrue Holiday, 8.8 APG
  • Steals: Thaddeus Young, 1.7 SPG
  • Blocks: Spencer Hawes, 1.2 BPG
  • Field Goal Percentage: Thaddeus Young, 53.5% FG
  • 3-Point Field Goal Percentage: Evan Turner, 45.3% 3PT FG

Scope the Opposition: Philadunkia.

Preview: After being traded during the summer to Philadelphia, Dorell Wright will be making his return to Oracle Arena for the first time as a visitor, after playing a terrific game in Memphis on Wednesday night where he scored 28 points and drilled 5-of-8 shots from 3-point range.

In upsetting the Grizzlies on Wednesday night, the 76ers highlighted just exactly who it is that they are: a jump shooting team that protects the ball at all costs.

In Memphis, Philadelphia turned the ball over 16 times, but that can actually be somewhat considered a victory given that the Grizzlies typically force a multitude of them and then get out in transition for easy baskets. But in the case of Philadelphia, the miscues weren’t egregious to the point of leading directly to scores as evidenced by the mere two fast break points allowed in that game.

For the most part, Philly does a great job of protecting the ball, turning it over only 12.4 times per game (second best in the NBA). This allows them to stay in games against opponents because they maximize their possessions.

It’s especially important because the Sixers aren’t exactly the biggest team in the league. They have athletes at all positions, but several of them are undersized. On the season, they’ve done a good job of protecting their backboards, but when faced with Memphis on Wednesday night they allowed 15 offensive rebounds. This is particularly pertinent heading into tonight’s contest because the Warriors have been known to hit the offensive glass with the likes of Lee, Ezeli and Landry.

The Dubs have the ability to hurt the 76ers in the rebounding area, which would surely serve as the great equalizer to Philly’s ball security.

It’s worth noting that Doug Collins’ group will heavily rely on ball movement and drive and kicks to set up perimeter shots while Holiday and Young will be more than comfortable putting the ball on the floor to try and get to the rim. If the Dubs can defend the 76ers dribble penetration, close out on shooters and own the boards, they should in fact make Dorell Wright a fairly unhappy player by night’s end.