For the Philadelphia 76ers (42-22, 37-27-0 ATS), this will be the second half of a back-to-back that ends a five-game road trip. For the Minnesota Timberwolves (34-32, 32-34-0 ATS), this will be their first home game since a successful four-game road trip ended on Saturday. These teams last crossed paths in November, with Minnesota fending off a furious rally to win 112-109 on the road. Philadelphia beat the spread though, as they were underdogs without James Harden that night. Both teams are fighting for playoff position, as they both enter the night holding one of the top six seeds. With a 7:30 p.m. EST tipoff, let's see which of these clubs will leave Minnesota's Target Center with a precious victory.
A hard-fought battle against the Pacers Monday night preceded this game, the last for Philadelphia in this road trip. The 76ers won 147-143 behind Joel Embiid's 42 points and James Harden's 20 assists. They shot 47.1% from beyond the arc and hit 35 of their 38 free throws. Philadelphia is 3-1 on the road trip.
powering through. ?????? pic.twitter.com/cIR0KZG2mY
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) March 7, 2023
Since December 1, the 76ers have gone 30-12, a winning percentage bested by only one team in that span. It helps that since that date, Joel Embiid is averaging over 33 points and 10 rebounds per game, and James Harden is averaging over 21 points and 11 assists. Philadelphia seems locked into the third seed, but they can still possibly claim the top seed or fall as far as fifth depending on how they play.
Embiid and Harden spearhead an offense that's sixth in adjusted rating. A key cog in Philadelphia's offense is their three-point efficiency, which is second in the NBA. Overall, their effective field goal percentage is eighth. The 76ers' free throw rate is third in the league, and their free throw percentage is first. Their offense is also 10th in turnover percentage. One area where they struggle is offensive rebounding, ranking 27th in offensive rebounding percentage.
Their defense is also incredible, ranki ng ninth in adjusted rating. Defensively, they rank 10th in effective field goal percentage against at 54.0%. They're ninth in turnover percentage and 11th in rebounding percentage. Philly is vulnerable at the rim, allowing opponents to shoot 65.3%, which is 25th in the NBA.
Tobias Harris and P.J. Tucker missed the game in Indiana and probably won't play tonight either. Philly is sixth in adjusted net rating.
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