Two injury riddled teams face off on Sunday in Dallas. Will the Sixers end their week with a fourth straight loss to see their lottery odds improve?
The Sixers will be pretty happy with their week so far. Three straight losses mean their lottery hopes are continuing to improve. On Sunday afternoon, we’ll see if the losing streak extends to four as they head on the road to Dallas to take on the Mavericks.
As you’d expect, the Sixers are still going to have a very short rotation for Sunday’s early contest. I mean this literally too — 10 players are out, including most of their center options. Apart from Joel Embiid and Jared McCain out for the season, Andre Drummond (left toe sprain), Adem Bona (left ankle sprain), Paul George (left groin soreness), Tyrese Maxey (lower back sprain and a finger sprain), Kyle Lowry (right hip injury management), Eric Gordon (right wrist surgery), Kelly Oubre Jr. (right knee sprain) and Lonnie Walker IV (concussion) are all out.
We’ll get a look at Chuma Okeke, who’s been signed to a 10-day deal after the Sixers were granted another hardship exception.
The Mavs are also ravaged by injuries right now. So much so that they’re down to eight healthy players. After choosing to trade Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, which is still just as baffling weeks later, and trying to remain competitive with their new look, AD has been out since Feb. 8 and is sidelined with a left adductor strain. Along with their new star big man, Kyrie Irving (ACL tear), Daniel Gafford (right knee sprain), Dante Exum (left hand fracture), Dereck Lively II (right ankle stress fracture), Olivier-Maxence Prosper (right wrist surgery) are all out. Jaden Hardy (right ankle sprain) is doubtful, while Kai Jones (left quad strain) and Caleb Martin (left hip strain) are questionable and Brandon Williams (left hamstring tightness) is probable to return.
I think these may be the longest injury reports I’ve ever written for a Sixers game preview…
Unlike many of the Sixers’ recent opponents, the Mavs have wanted to compete for the playoffs to end this season. The injuries have just made it impossible. The Mavs are now 2-8 in their last 10 games and 7-12 since trading Doncic, putting them at 10th place in the West. This is still a losable game with the Sixers so depleted themselves, but it’s not an ideal tank scenario with the Mavs this unhealthy too.
We’re all thinking lottery odds at this point, so let’s check in with Tankathon to see how the lottery picture looks. The Raptors picking up a three-game win streak helps the Sixers’ place in sixth, although reaching the top four is looking increasingly hard:
The Sixers are coming into this game off a loss to the Pacers in which they had a rotation of just eight players. Jeff Dowtin Jr. stepped up with a career-high 24 points, Jared Butler continued to make the most of increased minutes, and Adem Bona continues to prove that he’s already capable of being a legitimate backup NBA center.
In terms of actual basketball rather than just lottery odds intrigue, Bona’s recent play has been one of the bright spots. His energy and explosiveness has never been in question, and he pairs that with solid finishing, agility to switch on defense and competitive rim protection with his length and quick rotations. If he returns soon and closes out the season this well, the Sixers’ backup center for next year could be set.
As the key players remain out for both teams, we’ll see how the Sixers’ young guys continue playing with these extra opportunities and if the lottery odds can keep climbing for the Sixers. It’s already been a good week for them in that regard so far, but this one could probably go in favor of either injury-riddled team.
Game Details
When: Sunday, March 16, 1:00 p.m. ET
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers