The Philadelphia 76ers face the Utah Jazz on Sunday, amid a challenging season for both teams marked by injuries. The Sixers will be missing several key players, including Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, and Joel Embiid, while the Jazz will be without Lauri Markkanen and several others. With little motivation to win, both teams may be more focused on improving their lottery standings. The Sixers currently rank seventh in the lottery, needing to aim for the fifth position to increase their odds of retaining a first-round draft pick. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET at Wells Fargo Center.
Just twenty games remain for the Philadelphia 76ers, who are desperate for this disastrous season to come to an end.
The quest to reach the finish line resumes Sunday evening as the Sixers take on the Utah Jazz, with both teams entering this matchup under less than ideal conditions.
Let’s begin with the injury report… it’s quite extensive.
As of Sunday morning, the Sixers will be missing Paul George (groin), Tyrese Maxey (back, finger), Eric Gordon (wrist), and Kyle Lowry (hip), in addition to Joel Embiid and Jared McCain, both of whom are out for the season. Jalen Hood-Schifino is also sidelined (G League, two-way).
The situation isn’t any better for the Jazz. Utah will be without Lauri Markkanen (back), Walker Kessler (rest), Collin Sexton (ankle), Jordan Clarkson (plantar fasciitis), Taylor Hendricks (fibula fracture), and John Collins (back). Elijah Harkless is also out (G League, two-way). Former Sixer Jaden Springer (back) and Oscar Tschiebwe (G League, two-way) are both considered questionable.
Sounds like an exciting match-up! To top it off, the harsh reality is that neither team really wants to win. At this stage in their respective seasons, both squads would actually benefit more from a loss.
Following the Chicago Bulls’ victory on Saturday night, the Sixers have dropped to four games behind them for the No. 10 spot in the Eastern Conference, making any hope for the Play-In Tournament seem increasingly unlikely.
Let the tanking begin! As of Sunday morning, here’s how the lottery standings look:
This morning, the Sixers sit seventh in the lottery standings. The main focus should be on the teams directly above Philadelphia: the Brooklyn Nets, currently in fifth, and the Toronto Raptors in sixth. Both of those teams lost last night and are off today, giving the Sixers an opportunity to make up some ground. It’s noteworthy that Philadelphia has played fewer games than those surrounding teams; Sunday marks the 63rd game of the season for the Sixers, while Brooklyn has played 63, and Toronto and Chicago have both played 64.
However, as it stands, the Nets are now one loss ahead of the Sixers for the sixth lottery position after their defeat to the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, where they squandered a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter. Thanks for the disappointment, Brooklyn. The Raptors also sit two losses ahead of the Sixers for fifth place. These two teams are crucial for the Sixers if they want to keep their first-round pick (protected for picks 1 through 6).
Here’s a look at Philadelphia’s odds for each lottery position:
5 – 63.9% chance to keep the pick, 10.5% chance for the first overall
6 – 45.8% chance to keep the pick, 9.0% chance for the first overall
7 – 31.9% chance to keep the pick, 7.5% chance for the first overall
Clearly, moving up to that fifth position is crucial, effectively doubling their chances of retaining that pick compared to their current seventh place.
But the Jazz have their own reasons for wanting to lose.
Utah is fiercely holding onto the No. 2 lottery position, which would guarantee them a spot in the top six and a 14% chance at the first overall pick, assuming no ties in the final standings. Currently, the Hornets are right there with them, tied for second lottery position at 15-48. The Jazz likely have no intention of conceding any ground to Charlotte in this race for the top (or bottom, in this case).
(At least they don’t have to pretend to still be aiming for the Play-In…)
Consequently, this game might turn out to be one of the most chaotic displays of basketball we’ve witnessed this season, and that’s quite a statement! We might as well seek some enjoyment amidst the turmoil — they’ll play these final 20 games whether we want them to or not.
The beleaguered squads of Sixers and Jazz — what remains of them, anyway — will tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Wells Fargo Center.
Game Details
When: Sunday, March 9, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: The Center, Philadelphia, PA
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers