HOUSTON, TX — Ime Udoka’s Houston Rockets had a solid home record of 12-2 before to the commencement of their lengthy seven-game homestand. Winning at the Toyota Center this season has contributed significantly to their positive win-loss record. The Rockets have felt like they’ve been on the road recently, losing the opening two games of their homestand to offensive-heavy clubs in the Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns. In addition to these losses, they’ve lost two crucial starters in Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith Jr. to injuries.
Aside from the day off, Houston’s ill-fated roster faces another powerhouse of a team in the 21-9 Eastern Conference third-seeded Philadelphia 76ers. Winning the MVP last year, Joel Embiid is on another victory lap this season and is playing completely out of his mind. In the month of December alone, Embiid is averaging a scorching 40.2 points with mind-blowing efficiencies of 60.2% from the field and 42.3 from deep.
As scary as this might seem, news broke out Thursday that forward Nicolas Batum and Embiid are officially listed as out for Friday’s matchup. This marks the third straight game Embiid’s been out due to an ankle injury.
Don’t write off the Sixers.
While this appears to be a ray of optimism for the Rockets, it does not necessarily imply that the Sixers are susceptible. Since Embiid’s injury, Philadelphia is 1-1, with a close 119-113 defeat to the Miami Heat and a dominant 112-92 win against a top young team in the Orlando Magic.
Tyrese Maxey is emerging as a rising star as James Harden’s younger and more nimble substitute. Maxey averaged 25.8 points and 6.6 assists in 29 games, nearly tripling his assist total from previous season. Expect him, along with All-Star veteran Tobias Harris, to handle the most of the scoring for Embiid. Philadelphia, like the Bucks and Celtics last season, is a Finals candidate.
A win is always wonderful, but it appears doubtful right now. As previously stated, the Rockets have lost two of their crucial starters in Brooks and Jabari, with no news on when they will return. They’re all good at perimeter defense. The Sixers benefit greatly from this because Maxey, D’Anthony Melton, and Harris are all three-point specialists.
One thing to note: Aside from their overall dominance, the Sixers this season aren’t known for shooting many threes. At just 21st with 33.2 attempts per game, expect Philadelphia to substantially increase this overall amount against Houston’s ailing perimeter defense as of late.
As scary as this might seem, news broke out Thursday that forward Nicolas Batum and Embiid are officially listed as out for Friday’s matchup. This marks the third straight game Embiid’s been out due to an ankle injury.