The showdown between the
Philadelphia 76ers and the
Phoenix Suns headlines Wednesday's NBA action at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. This encounter marks the second and final meeting of the season between these two teams, with the Sixers aiming to sweep the series for the first time since the 2018-19 season.
Previous Encounter:
Philly emerged victorious in the first matchup, securing a 112-100 win on Nov. 4 at the Wells Fargo Center.
Joel Embiid led the charge with 26 points and 11 rebounds, supported by
Tyrese Maxey's 22 points and 10 assists, alongside Kelly Oubre Jr.'s 25 points. Notably, Embiid was healthy at the time, while key Suns players
Devin Booker and Bradley Beal were sidelined, leaving
Kevin Durant as the sole healthy star for Phoenix.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Phoenix Suns Preview: The Sixers (adjusting to Embiid's absence due to knee surgery) have rallied with two consecutive wins, currently occupying the 6th spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Conversely, the Suns have struggled with inconsistency, winning just five of their last ten games. They are coming off a significant loss against the Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Milwaukee Bucks, with Kevin Durant's cold streak raising concerns for the team sitting eighth in the West.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Phoenix Suns Starting Lineups:
Philadelphia's lineup may feature Kyle Lowry, Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr., Tobias Harris (if cleared), and Mo Bamba. In case of Harris' absence, Nicolas Batum is expected to start. Meanwhile, the Suns are likely to deploy Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen, Kevin Durant, and Jusuf Nurkic.