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Game preview: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Timberwolves

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The Philadelphia 76ers (35-23) play against the Minnesota Timberwolves (32-28) at Target Center

The Philadelphia 76ers are spending $4,238,024 per win while the Minnesota Timberwolves are spending $4,282,424 per win

Game Time: 8:00 PM EST on Friday February 25, 2022

Broadcast Info

National TV: N/A
Home TV: N/A
Away TV: NBC Sports Philadelp
Home Radio: 830 WCCO
Away Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

When the game is underway, you can follow it here!

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Ky Carlin
@Ky_Carlin
James Harden pregame work part 4 #Sixers pic.twitter.com/GNdn0e63dG – 7:12 PM

Dane Moore
@DaneMooreNBA
My @PrizePicks for Wolves-Sixers
Vando over 16.5 pts + rebs + asts
– might get there on rebounds alone
DLo over 19.5 points
Embiid over 11.5 rebounds
– double digit rebs in 12 of last 14 (+ Wolves rebounding problems)
Thybulle over 8.5 points + rebs + asts – 7:08 PM
Ky Carlin
@Ky_Carlin
More James Harden work part 3 #Sixers pic.twitter.com/VFjhUvkcxX – 7:07 PM

Mark Medina
@MarkG_Medina
With James Harden set to make his Sixers debut tonight vs T-Wolves, @Shaun Powell with good perspective on Harden, and if he’ll learn this time how to fit in with an All-Star teammate on.nba.com/3HoG3M6 – 7:06 PM
Philadelphia 76ers
@sixers
it’s a bit chilly in Minny. ❄
👟@Snipes_USA pic.twitter.com/oxCk4MtOcn – 7:02 PM

Ky Carlin
@Ky_Carlin
More James Harden work pregame in Minnesota #Sixers pic.twitter.com/QJDMDV6pW2 – 7:02 PM

Ky Carlin
@Ky_Carlin
James Harden is warming up and preparing to make his team debut #Sixers pic.twitter.com/CTGKYLCOIq – 6:59 PM

Keith Pompey
@PompeyOnSixers
Georges Niang #PregameFlow #Sixers pic.twitter.com/193HckNDfH – 6:57 PM

Dane Moore
@DaneMooreNBA
Doc Rivers on why Patrick Beverley wins everywhere he goes:
“Because he’s crazy as hell. He’s one of my favorite guys. He’s literally crazy, in a positive way… He’ll do some crazy things on the floor that’ll drive you nuts as a coach, and his answer is ‘I’m just tryin to win’” – 6:49 PM
Micah Adams
@MicahAdams13
All-NBA on Feb 25
1st Team
G: Curry
G: DeRozan
F: Giannis
F: Jokic
C: Embiid
2nd Team
G: Morant
G: Booker
F: LeBron
F: Butler
C: Gobert
3rd Team
G: Luka
G: Trae
F: Tatum
F: Siakam
C: Allen – 6:44 PM
Ryan Blackburn
@NBABlackburn
Can’t believe the Knicks are on national TV tonight and they didn’t flex this Harden-Embiid debut. – 6:43 PM
Keith Pompey
@PompeyOnSixers
Doc Rivers on why Pat Beverley wins everywhere he goes: “Because he’s crazy as hell.” – 6:36 PM
Tim Bontemps
@TimBontemps
When asked why Patrick Beverley wins wherever he goes, Doc Rivers deadpans, “Because he’s crazy as hell.” – 6:35 PM
Rob Perez
@WorldWideWob
Load Mismanagement with @jphanned is live @Underdog__NBA
We back up.
– Harden’s debut
– Brogdon with Hali now
– Luka vs. Don
– Point Book
– and oh good the Knicks are back too
Lord of Lineups at the top of the show, live all the way through tipoff:
➡ https://t.co/yt3eTgGeJM pic.twitter.com/CBubSYllZb – 6:31 PM

Tony Mejia
@MejiaDinero
The 76ers visit #RaisedByWolves as James Harden debuts. All eyes will be on Philly but Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards has my attention. Will his offensive slump continue? My thoughts from the @WagerTalk NBA Tip-Off Show: pic.twitter.com/GbDCsjLG3o – 6:28 PM

Ryan McDonough
@McDNBA
James Harden makes his debut tonight – I’m fascinated to see if he’s willing to give the ball up more quickly than he has in years
Joel Embiid is an MVP frontrunner on a Top 3 team in the East – the 76ers duo can be terrific but the Beard has to let the offense flow through Joel – 6:25 PM
Keith Pompey
@PompeyOnSixers
Furkan Korkmaz and Shake Milton #PregameFlow #Sixers pic.twitter.com/ULyTiJ41hp – 6:23 PM

Tim Bontemps
@TimBontemps
When asked about holding James Harden to a 4-13 performance last month, Wolves coach Chris Finch joked that he wasn’t sure that was the “most engaged” version of Harden. Said he fully expects Harden to be at his best tonight in his 76ers debut. – 6:22 PM
Philadelphia 76ers
@sixers
the beard is here. 📍
👟@Snipes_USA pic.twitter.com/1GIGVYyQBc – 6:20 PM

Keith Pompey
@PompeyOnSixers
Willie Cauley-Stein #Pregameflow #Sixers pic.twitter.com/nt0i3YKIwu – 6:10 PM

Ky Carlin
@Ky_Carlin
Tyrese Maxey putting in some work pregame #Sixers pic.twitter.com/5qtLlyF5Bu – 6:08 PM

Minnesota Timberwolves PR
@Twolves_PR
Tonight’s @kzprovisioning media meal:
Chicken Paprikash
Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Braised Peppers and Onions
Mushroom Veloute with crispy oyster mushrooms and herbs
Classic Cobb with several sauces
@BellecourBakery Dessert – 5:55 PM
Ky Carlin
@Ky_Carlin
Matisse Thybulle going through his pregame shooting routine #Sixers pic.twitter.com/tEcnIaROHM – 5:49 PM

Keith Pompey
@PompeyOnSixers
After a brief delay, the James Harden era is set to begin Friday in Minnesota inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer – 5:03 PM
Jon Krawczynski
@JonKrawczynski
A dire wolf wrestling a Dothraki.
A young star not letting an injury hold him back.
A younger star bowing up on D when the shot isn’t falling.
Scenes from a budding rivalry between Memphis and Minnesota. Hopefully not for the last time this year.
theathletic.com/3149218/2022/0… – 4:45 PM
Minnesota Timberwolves
@Timberwolves
#OnThisDay in 2015, KG returned to Minnesota in front of a sellout crowd. pic.twitter.com/tq3NzgNHGc – 4:42 PM

Ky Carlin
@Ky_Carlin
As James Harden gets set to make his debut tonight in Minnesota, the team discusses their expectations for him #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2022/02/24/six… via @SixersWire – 4:33 PM
Kevin O’Connor
@KevinOConnorNBA
New Mismatch with @Chris Vernon on appreciating DeRozan, Bulls depth, Wolves-Grizz, Nuggets-Kings, Celtics beating the depleted Nets, Harden debut, Warriors, and POINT BOOKER. I promised on the pod I’d tweet a video of Booker assists so here it is 🤘🤘 https://t.co/lyoK8ax8zT pic.twitter.com/y1zwSNMjPH – 4:11 PM

Philadelphia 76ers
@sixers
📽 check out the top defensive plays from the first half of the season.
pres. by @MoraviaHealth | 🩺 “Having Your Back” pic.twitter.com/AWkKU11r9E – 3:35 PM

The Vertical
@YahooSportsNBA
James Harden is set to make his Sixers debut tonight against the T-Wolves.
How many points do you think the Beard will drop? pic.twitter.com/zuzZSp3jD3 – 3:29 PM

Minnesota Timberwolves
@Timberwolves
Drop a 🔒 in the comments for A1’s late-game defense last night pic.twitter.com/46yY3Y8WsL – 3:24 PM

Minnesota Timberwolves PR
@Twolves_PR
Minnesota @Minnesota Timberwolves Status Report in advance of tonight’s game vs Philadelphia:
OUT
Bolmaro – G League Assignment
Wright IV – Left UCL Injury – 3:01 PM
Justin Kubatko
@jkubatko
The @Phoenix Suns could become the 12th team in NBA history to reach 50 wins in 60 games:
66-67 PHI, 52-8*
71-72 LAL, 51-9*
77-78 POR, 50-10
82-83 PHI, 51-9*
95-96 CHI, 54-6*
96-97 CHI, 53-7*
06-07 DAL, 51-9
15-16 GSW, 55-5
15-16 SAS, 51-9
16-17 GSW, 50-10*
19-20 MIL, 52-8
* NBA champs pic.twitter.com/GYZ0AlPCYb – 3:01 PM

Tom Moore
@TomMoorePhilly
#NBA story: What do you expect from the James Harden and Joel Embiid pairing in Harden’s #Sixers’ debut tonight? https://t.co/uccYbybRHr pic.twitter.com/faFtmEKzaL – 3:00 PM

Dane Moore
@DaneMooreNBA
ESPN published their Real Plus-Minus stat for the first time today. Here’s how the Wolves rank relative to the rest of the league when measured by that metric…
DLo: 18th
KAT: 30
Ant: 44
Beverley: 84
Vando: 112
McDaniels: 200
Nowell: 210
Reid: 229
Knight: 270
Beasley: 277 – 2:48 PM
Anthony Puccio
@APOOCH
The 76ers get better by simply adding a former MVP with Joel Embiid, but questions linger in the present and future…
– Will Harden improve his play?
– Can he co-exist with Embiid?
– Can Philly adjust the offense?
– Will he be worth $60M at 37?
frontofficesports.com/stakes-are-hig… @fos – 2:37 PM
Lauren Rosen
@LaurenMRosen
James Harden on playing w/ Tobias Harris (@Tobias Harris) and the @Philadelphia 76ers:
“Tobias has that smooth game. He can shoot it, he can post up, he can score from anywhere. I think everybody on the floor – Tisse, to Danny, to Maxey – the entire group, they’re competitors. They want to win.” pic.twitter.com/xL0YKwddb4 – 2:09 PM

Sirius XM NBA
@SiriusXMNBA
“Your life has to be almost given to basketball.”
@Karl-Anthony Towns is ready to to whatever it takes to push the @Minnesota Timberwolves to the playoffs in the second half. 😤 pic.twitter.com/po5PlwiVmQ – 2:09 PM

Keith Pompey
@PompeyOnSixers
Who has the better step-back move? James Harden? Joel Embiid? The #Sixers center weighs in. inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer – 1:47 PM
Tony East
@TEastNBA
Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch was a Rockets assistant when Houston traded for James Harden. Finch brought that up when talking about the Pacers trading for Tyrese Haliburton. On Indiana’s new young guard, in a fantastic spot to grow: forbes.com/sites/tonyeast… – 1:23 PM
Minnesota Timberwolves
@Timberwolves
last time we faced Philly…
the fans knew what time it was 🥶 pic.twitter.com/arlkz1mboM – 1:19 PM
Tim Bontemps
@TimBontemps
About to hop on @SportsCenter to talk about the debut — finally — of the James Harden-Joel Embiid partnership tonight in Minneapolis. – 12:57 PM
Philadelphia 76ers
@sixers
“We gotta want it, I gotta want it. He’s gotta want it. And the other guys are going to follow.” – @Joel Embiid
we want it. do you? pic.twitter.com/sDjSgUks7P – 12:52 PM

Keith Pompey
@PompeyOnSixers
Will James Harden take the #Sixers to the finals? inquirer.com/sixers/gameday… – 12:34 PM
Keith Pompey
@PompeyOnSixers
76ers vs. Timberwolves – Live Updates – February 26, 2022 inquirer.com/sixers/gameday… – 12:34 PM
JD Shaw
@JShawNBA
NBA’s best from February 24:
– D. Russell: 37 pts, 2 reb, 9 ast
– D. DeRozan: 37 pts, 6 reb, 15-21 fg
– D. Sabonis: 33 pts, 14 reb, 15-23 fg
– W. Barton: 31 pts, 5 reb, +27
– N. Jokic: 25 pts, 12 reb, 9 ast
– D. Booker: 25 pts, 12 ast, 6 stl
– S. Curry: 18 pts, 14 ast, 27 min – 12:23 PM
Philadelphia 76ers
@sixers
tale of the tape.
🔒@Betwayusa | #GetItLocked pic.twitter.com/RfN952mtKG – 12:15 PM

Ky Carlin
@Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid has been impressed with James Harden as a teammate thus far #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2022/02/25/big… via @SixersWire #NBA – 12:08 PM
Lauren Rosen
@LaurenMRosen
Joel Embiid on James Harden:
“He’s a great person, a great personality. Always smiling. Fun to be around. His presence – on the team, and on the floor – has really changed us a lot since he got here.” pic.twitter.com/a63OX5XhO9 – 12:06 PM

Michael Gallagher
@MikeSGallagher
Best lineups in the NBA so far in 2022 (min 75 minutes, 36 qualifiers).
Current Mavs starting lineup is just smashing, hopefully Darius Garland is back soon, lots of usual suspects, Pels will miss Hart, and my goodness that Boston lineup at +30.6 in a 222-minute sample. pic.twitter.com/aKqW7505tI – 12:05 PM

Noah Levick
@NoahLevick
Gearing up for James Harden’s Sixers debut:
nbcsports.com/philadelphia/s… – 12:05 PM
Gina Mizell
@ginamizell
Doc Rivers on implementing James Harden with 24 regular-season games to play: “This is a race now. … We’re gonna just have to figure it out on the fly. Speed dating. That’s what this is.” – 12:01 PM
Tommy Beer
@TommyBeer
The Knicks’ next four games (starting tonight) are against the Heat (best record in the East), the Suns (best record in NBA) and two games vs. the Sixers (w/ Harden).
9 of NY’s next ten games are against playoff teams. 7 of those ten games are on the road
tommybeer.substack.com/p/thibs-claims… – 11:55 AM
Rich Hoffman
@rich_hofmann
Joel Embiid on James Harden: “He’s a great basketball player obviously but I think he’s also very smart, you add that with the guys that we have. At the end of the day, it starts at the top. We got to want it, I got to want it, he’s got to want it.” – 11:55 AM
Lauren Rosen
@LaurenMRosen
Joel Embiid on adding James Harden to the @Philadelphia 76ers:
“[James is] great for us as a team. It sets our expectations even higher than they were before. It puts a lot of pressure on everybody. So I’m excited, excited for everybody to play at that other level. It’s going to be fun.” – 11:48 AM
Rich Hoffman
@rich_hofmann
Earlier this year, in a different setting, Joel Embiid said, “I feel like I can really play with anybody and I can make anybody be better on the court.”
Here is what he said today at shootaround about trying to do just that with James Harden. pic.twitter.com/6pPFaUSRoN – 11:33 AM

Minnesota Timberwolves
@Timberwolves
DLo was COLD last night.
23 in the final frame. season-high 37 🧊🧊🧊 pic.twitter.com/NWkYVVPuhY – 11:20 AM

StatMuse
@statmuse
The free throw line after Embiid and Harden first game together pic.twitter.com/VtWhk6eX73 – 11:16 AM

Michael Gallagher
@MikeSGallagher
The Boston starting 5 has a D rating of 88.2 on the year for the best in the NBA all season. The Miami starters are at 92.5 for second (min 100 minutes, 66 quals).
In 2022, Miami’s starters are leading at 86.3 with Boston right behind at 87.7 (min 75 minutes, 36 qual). – 11:16 AM
Rich Hoffman
@rich_hofmann
Joel Embiid on if his stepback is better than James Harden’s: “From the mid-range, yeah. From 3, he got it.” – 11:15 AM
Gina Mizell
@ginamizell
James Harden getting shots up ahead of tonight’s Sixers debut against Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/m8u4iViG0s – 11:12 AM

Ky Carlin
@Ky_Carlin
James Harden and Tobias Harris are chopping it up at shootaround this morning #Sixers pic.twitter.com/ezyq21iMD9 – 11:10 AM

NBA Math
@NBA_Math
RPR MVP Predictor:
1. Nikola Jokic: 17.61
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 16.18
3. Joel Embiid: 15.94
4. DeMar DeRozan: 14.87
5. LeBron James: 14.46
6. Luka Doncic: 14.11
7. Trae Young: 13.9
8. Stephen Curry: 13.82
9. Ja Morant: 13.45
10. Chris Paul: 13.17
https://t.co/onGqrEd9sz pic.twitter.com/rmu71sYQ6z – 11:05 AM

Ky Carlin
@Ky_Carlin
Tyrese Maxey is here with the team this morning at shootaround. He wasn’t able to be here last night because of travel issues. #Sixers – 10:55 AM
Keith Pompey
@PompeyOnSixers
#CalmBeforeTheStorm This is the #TargetCenter more than nine hours before the #Sixers #Timberwolves game. #JamesHardenDebutFlow pic.twitter.com/WDJfphfgS0 – 10:47 AM

Lauren Rosen
@LaurenMRosen
Danny Green (@Danny Green) on adding James Harden to the @Philadelphia 76ers tonight:
“We’ve had so many battles throughout the years. He’s one of the hardest guys to guard in the league. One of the most annoying players to guard. So it’s good that he’s on my team, & can be that for us.” 😁 – 10:24 AM
Minnesota Timberwolves
@Timberwolves
let’s do it again.
Wolves vs. Sixers
7 PM, @TargetCenterMN
📺 » @BallySportsNOR
📻 » @wccoradio
📲 » https://t.co/gPhx0nwXoS
🎟 » https://t.co/P7LkZysPrM
Preview » https://t.co/5p7S8ihbTu pic.twitter.com/2giDvsJv5P – 10:22 AM
Lauren Rosen
@LaurenMRosen
Willie Cauley-Stein on his 10-day opportunity with the @Philadelphia 76ers:
“I’m just grateful to finally see my name on the back of another jersey, and just relish in it. Sit on the floor tomorrow, and really take it in. It’s just a blessing to get an opportunity to be on the team.” – 10:17 AM
David Locke
@DLocke09
LOCKED ON JAZZ – Who is the best vs. the best? The Utah Jazz look good. 4 things for final 24 games for the Utah Jazz and Luka Doncic and the Mavericks have become the Harden Rockets – lockedonjazz.net/jazz/who-is-th… – 10:15 AM
Sirius XM NBA
@SiriusXMNBA
Tonight former MVP James Harden will make his debut for the @Philadelphia 76ers.
But @Tyrese Maxey says it’s Joel Embiid who deserves this season’s MVP award. pic.twitter.com/kuYPxYSuQv – 10:15 AM
Tom Haberstroh
@tomhaberstroh
Top 5 Win Probability Added
2021-22 Season
9.38 wins — DeMar DeRozan
.
.
.
5.72 wins — Stephen Curry
5.61 wins — Nikola Jokic
4.85 wins — Joel Embiid
4.57 wins — Karl-Anthony Towns
via
@Mike Beuoy – 10:04 AM
Kyle Neubeck
@KyleNeubeck
James Harden makes his debut tonight. What will the Sixers’ rotation look like? phillyvoice.com/sixers-76ers-j… – 10:01 AM
Chicago Bulls
@chicagobulls
DeMar DeRozan joins a short-list of players to score 35+ in eight straight games. Here are the others:
Wilt Chamberlain
Elgin Baylor
Michael Jordan
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
James Harden
📰 | @Sam Smith game recap: – 9:58 AM
Ky Carlin
@Ky_Carlin
Maaaaan, I grew up in Michigan so I have an idea of how cold Midwest winters can be, but Minnesota is different. 4 degrees today!? Sheesh. – 9:57 AM
Ky Carlin
@Ky_Carlin
Everybody knows James Harden can score the basketball at a high clip. However, some might not know of his elite passing ability. His new teammates have been impressed with his passing thus far. #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2022/02/24/six… via @SixersWire – 9:50 AM
Dane Moore
@DaneMooreNBA
The Wolves knock off a Grizzlies team they feel they matchup well against
On today’s show:
– How DLo took over with 23 points in the 4th
– A Wolves roster that was built to fail on the glass
– Ant guarding Ja, the latest development in a bizarre year on D
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dlo… – 9:46 AM
Tommy Beer
@TommyBeer
DeMar DeRozan is just the seventh player in NBA history to score at least 35+ points in eight straight games.
Here are the other six players in this club:
Wilt Chamberlain
Elgin Baylor
Michael Jordan
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
James Harden – 9:26 AM
Christos Tsaltas
@Tsaltas46
D’Angelo Russell wanted to lead by example from the beginning of the season. In the big time victory over the Grizzlies he did if and proved how important part of the Timberwolves is.
Story on D-Lo’s impact at @SdnaGr #RaisedByWolves sdna.gr/mpasket/937665… – 8:50 AM
Kurt Helin
@basketballtalk
Watch D’Angelo Russell take over, score 37 to lead Timberwolves past Grizzlies nba.nbcsports.com/2022/02/25/wat… – 8:45 AM
Joe Mullinax
@sbnGrizzlies
Report Card: Grizzlies fall to Timberwolves 119-114
@NathanChester24 on a game that was not as enjoyable to him as it was to others. https://t.co/ZLPoDy2qXh pic.twitter.com/awNXG9g5YV – 8:45 AM

Keith Pompey
@PompeyOnSixers
#Sixers center Willie Cauley-Stein on learning he would get a 10-day contract with the team: pic.twitter.com/KEy1QUTnct – 7:54 AM

Tom Moore
@TomMoorePhilly
#NBA story: What’s reasonable to expect from James Harden in tonight’s debut with the #Sixers? https://t.co/uccYbybRHr #76ers pic.twitter.com/Di0oBZmZev – 6:45 AM