Denver Nuggets vs Philadelphia 76ers: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

Where: Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA

When: Friday, February 8th at 7:00 PM EST

How (TV/Radio): ESPN, Altitude, NBC Sports Philadelphia | 97.5 The Fanatic, KKSE-FM 92.5/KKSE 950.

Denver Nuggets (Away)

Head Coach: Mike Malone {All-Time 195-210 | SAC, DEN}

The Denver Nuggets are trying to regain a hold on first place in the Western Conference again. With a record of 37-16, the Nuggets are just 0.5 games back from the Warriors and sit second in the Western Conference.

Over their last ten games the Nuggets have produced an impressive 8-2 record. Their point differential over that time is +5.2 but they were recently handled by 26 points in Detroit.

The Denver Nuggets take on the Philadelphia 76ers who are also coming off of a loss. The Nuggets are struggling with injuries and failed to protect the paint and perimeter against the Pistons. They will have to pack the key if they don’t want the Sixers getting off.

Philadelphia 76ers (Home)

Head Coach: Brett Brown {All-Time 161-303 | PHI}

The Philadelphia 76ers are gearing up to make a run in the playoffs. With a record of 34-20 the Sixers are ranked fifth in the Eastern Conference. They will need a string of wins to take third from the Celtics and Pacers.

The Sixers have been missing a little consistency as of late, losing their last two games and going 6-4 in their last ten. After losing to the Raptors and Kings, they have a tough string of games until the All-Star Break. Luckily the Sixers will be playing three of those four matches at home, where they are 21-6.

The Denver Nuggets are ravaged by injury but are still formidable. Any lineup directed by Nikola Jokic has a chance of playing off of his incredible passing ability for open shots. The Nuggets are also a dangerous three-point shooting team. The Sixers don’t have the firepower from range to keep up, so it will be key for them to establish themselves inside.

What’s At Stake?

The Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers have had a close contest in terms of their all-time series. In 87 regular season meetings, the Philadelphia 76ers lead the Denver Nuggets 49-38.

A win for the Denver Nuggets would push them ahead of the Golden State Warriors and into first place in the Western Conference.

A win for the Philadelphia 76ers would keep them fifth, but within half a game of the Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics who are tied for third.

Questions to answer

What happened to the Nuggets against the Pistons?

What do the Sixers big moves mean for the team?

We are going to compare the Denver Nuggets and the Philadelphia 76ers in an attempt to see who has the advantage in this matchup.

The Pistons Defeated the Nuggets 103-129

The Denver Nuggets got absolutely steamrolled by the Detroit Pistons on the second game of their four-game road trip. The Nuggets couldn’t stop the Pistons on the inside or the outside and it showed in the box score.

While it is only one game in a massive season, the Denver Nuggets’ depth may have finally reached its peak. Three Nuggets starters were unavailable between Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, and Paul Millsap. On top of their lack of depth, they failed to defend the three-point line as they allowed Detroit to convert on 16-37 (43%) threes.

The Nuggets will need to be wary of the Sixers. The Sixers are coming off of a loss to the Toronto Raptors and will be locked in to get back on track. The Sixers, outside of JJ Redick, are not a strong three-point shooting team. But if the Nuggets can’t handle Embiid in the post and are forced to double, they may see open threes go in all night.

The Sixers Acquired Tobias Harris and Boban Marjanovic

The Philadelphia 76ers were the first team to make a splash before the NBA Trade Deadline when they dealt F Wilson Chandler, F-C Mike Muscala, and G Landry Shamet (plus four draft picks) in exchange for F Tobias Harris, F Mike Scott, and C Boban Marjanovic.

The Philadelphia 76ers now boast a starting lineup of guards Ben Simmons and JJ Redick, forwards Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris, and centre Joel Embiid. Four of the Sixers starting five average over 17.0 points per game with the inclusion of Harris in the lineup. Their versatility and scoring at every position has shaken up the Eastern Conference.

While it seems this trade was the first domino to trigger a cavalcade of trades at the deadline, the Sixers aren’t totally in the clear. They still lack depth as TJ McConnell and Furkan Korkmaz are the only players on their reserves to log more than 14 minutes per game. The trade deadline may pass, but the Sixers will be buyers on the buy-out market.

Denver Nuggets Roster Notes

G Gary Harris – 5 Feb 2019 – Out (Groin) – The Nuggets have listed Harris as OUT for Wednesday’s game (Feb. 6) against the Nets.

F Paul Millsap – 5 Feb 2019 – Day To Day (Right Ankle Soreness) – The Nuggets have listed Millsap as QUESTIONABLE for Wednesday’s game (Feb. 6) against the Nets.

G Jamal Murray – 5 Feb 2019 – Day To Day (Ankle) – The Nuggets have listed Murray as QUESTIONABLE for Wednesday’s game (Feb. 6) against the Nets.

F Michael Porter – 6 Dec 2018 – Out (Back) – Porter Jr. is still without a timetable for return, according to Mike Singer of the Denver Post.

G Isaiah Thomas – 10 Jan 2019 – Out (Hip) – Thomas has not played this season and no timetable has been announced for his return.

Philadelphia 76ers Roster Notes

G Markelle Fultz – 29 Dec 2018 – Out (Shoulder/Wrist) – Fultz is progressing well in rehab and expects to return this season according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

G JJ Redick – 5 Feb 2019 – Day To Day (Illness) – Redick was ruled OUT for Tuesday’s (Feb 5) game against the Raptors.

G Zhaire Smith – 22 Dec 2018 – Out (Foot) – Smith has been working out every morning and is expected to play this season, according to Kyle Neubeck.

Head-to-Head: Nikola Jokic vs Joel Embiid

Nikola Jokic

Center | 7-0, 250lb (213cm, 113kg) | Mega Leks/Serbia | Exp. 3 Years

20.1 PPG | 7.7 APG | 10.4 RPG | 1.4 SPG | 0.7 BPG | 3.1 TOV | .506 FG% | .303 3P%

Joel Embiid

Center | 7-0, 250lb (213cm, 113kg) | Kansas | Exp. 2 Years

27.4 PPG | 3.6 APG | 13.5 RPG | 0.6 SPG | 2.0 BPG | 3.6 TOV | .483 FG% | .299 3P%

Two of the NBA’s young and inspiring big men face-off again in an inter-conference matchup. 7’0 playmaker Nikola Jokic looks to top the Western Conference table by taking down Joel Embiid, the leagues most dominant scorer at the pivot.

In an injury ravaged season for the Denver Nuggets, Nikola Jokic has orchestrated the Nuggets offence into an efficient machine. In four of the last six games, Jokic has scored more than 20 points while achieving more than 13 rebounds four times as well. While scoring against Embiid will be a tough task, Jokic has the unique opportunity to take Embiid out of the defensive rotation through his playmaking.

Despite back to back losses against the Sacramento Kings and the Toronto Raptors, Joel Embiid has maintained production for the Sixers. There has been a recent tendency by Embiid to fade late in games, raising questions about his health. Against the Nuggets, Embiid will have another burden as he attempts to work another new face – Tobias Harris – into the offence.

Denver Nuggets at Philadelphia 76ers Predictions and Odds

The odds makers have the Philadelphia 76ers favoured over the Denver Nuggets by 4.5, with an over/under of 110.