December 10, 2023

What to watch as 76ers face red hot Clippers

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Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images

The 38-17, first-place Philadelphia 76ers look to extend their winning streak to four games Friday night, but it won’t be easy as they’ll be facing the 39-18 Los Angeles Clippers.

Here’s what to watch:

Clippers are red hot

The Clippers have won seven straight games and 13 of 15. They’re first in net rating and offensive rating since March 20, per Cleaning the Glass.

The Sixers were one of the teams the Clippers beat during the stretch. Joel Embiid was sidelined by his left knee bone bruise on March 27 for Los Angeles’ 122-112 win

2 stars listed as questionable

Kawhi Leonard (right foot soreness) and Tobias Harris (right knee soreness) were listed as questionable Thursday night. Dwight Howard (left knee soreness) is questionable, too. 

Serge Ibaka (lower back tightness), Patrick Beverley (left hand fourth metacarpal fracture) and George Hill (right hand surgery) have been ruled out.

Harris has been experiencing “a little aching” in his knee Wednesday night, as he said. Though the Sixers’ chances of beating Los Angeles would take a hit if Harris is out, his long-term health obviously should be a priority for the team.

Notable bench players to look at

Terance Mann was a very notable in this season’s first Sixers-Clippers matchup this season. He scored 23 points off the bench on 10-for-12 shooting.

Shake Milton is another bench player worth mentioning, and not just because of his 39-point game in Los Angeles last season, but he’s averaged 14.8 points and 2.7 assists over his last 15 games, shooting 40.4% from three-point range. Milton has scored in double figures in 36 of his 47 games this year. 

Essentials

When: 7:00 P.M. E.S.T.

Where: Wells Fargo Center

Broadcast: ESPN, NBC Sports Philadelphia

Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

Social media coverage: Philly Sports Reports’ Twitter & Instagram.

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