A preview of Monday's game between the Philadelphia 76ers and San Antonio Spurs.
The Philadelphia 76ers (43-35) are taking on Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs (59-19) on Monday night at 8 PM ET in Frost Bank Center.
Philadelphia is coming off a 23-point blowout loss to the Cade Cunningham-less Detroit Pistons. Tyrese Maxey and Paul George led the charge in that game, combining for 43 points on 15 of 31 shooting. Prior to that defeat against the Pistons, the 76ers emerged victorious in two of their last three matchups.
Meanwhile, the Spurs fell short in a thrilling overtime battle against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. Before that narrow loss, San Antonio had won 10 consecutive games.
Key Matchups:
Joel Embiid vs. Victor Wembanyama
Wembanyama is coming off a battle with Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic and now is going up against the center who scored 70 points against him in 2024. The Spurs big man shined versus Jokic on Saturday, but Embiid is a much more solid defender. The outcome of this game could very well come down to which one of these superstar big men performs better.
Tyrese Maxey vs. Stephon Castle
These are two of the quickest guards in the NBA. Castle may not be the level of scorer Maxey is, but he more than makes up for that on the defensive end. If Castle is able to shutdown Maxey, this game could get ugly quick.
Injury Report:
76ers
Johni Broome: Out - Right Knee; Surgery Recovery
Tyrese Maxey: Available - Right Finger; Tendon Strain - Splint
Cameron Payne: Out - Right Hamstring; Strain
Spurs
Harrison Ingram: Out - G League; Two-Way
David Jones Garcia: Out - Right Ankle; Surgery
Emanuel Miller: Out - G League; Two-Way
How Each Team Can Emerge Victorious:
76ers
The 'Big Three' of Maxey, Embiid, and Paul George is clicking from right out of the gates while V.J. Edgecombe and Kelly Oubre Jr. have efficient nights.
Spurs
Play their style of basketball while not allowing the 76ers' star trio to get hot.
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