Cooper Albers takes you through his preview, prediction and pick for Thursday’s NBA matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers.
The Philadelphia 76ers will roll out their Hardwood Classic court for another 25th Anniversary Celebration game on Thursday night, as they host the Golden State Warriors at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
The Warriors (11–11, 8th West) will face their first true test since Stephen Curry went down with a quad injury against the Houston Rockets on Nov. 26. The Sixers (11–9, 9th East), meanwhile, will push for consecutive wins for the first time since October.
Here’s a look at the Injury Report:
Golden State Warriors
- Out: Stephen Curry (Quad), Alex Toohey (Knee)
- Questionable: Jimmy Butler (Knee), Al Horford (Sciatic Nerve), Trayce Jackson-Davis (Knee), Jonathan Kuminga (Ankle), Quinten Post (Ankle)
Philadelphia 76ers
- Out: Paul George (Knee), Kelly Oubre Jr. (Knee), Trendon Watford (Adductor)
- Questionable: Joel Embiid (Knee)
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET. Philadelphia enters as a 3.5-point home favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Golden State is listed as a +136 underdog. The game’s total is set at 222.5 points.
Warriors vs. 76ers Preview
Golden State Warriors Preview
The jury is still out on whether Golden State can hold its own without Steph Curry. In their two games since the two-time MVP hit the sidelines with a quad injury, the Warriors snatched their free win against New Orleans and lost to the juggernaut from Oklahoma City — not particularly illuminating results.
Thursday’s contest should be more conclusive. Not only is Philadelphia a decent squad, but Golden State carries an 0–4 record on the road against Eastern Conference opponents.
Even with Curry, the Dubs have been underwhelming on offense. Of course, they lead the NBA in three pointers, but they’re disastrously inefficient and rank in the bottom-five of the league in field-goal percentage.
The outlook is much better on the other end, where Golden State actually boasts a top-ten defense in the NBA. While the rebound effort is suspect, the Warriors rank seventh in defensive rating and swipe the fourth most steals per game.
But on top of Curry’s absence, there’s a chance the Dubs will trudge into battle without Jimmy Butler, Al Horford, and Jonathan Kuminga, all vital pieces of the roster who are listed as questionable for Thursday night. If all are sidelined, Golden State must adopt a “next man up” mentality and lean on Seth Curry, Draymond Green, and De’Anthony Melton — who’s set for his season debut — among their other role players.
Philadelphia 76ers Preview
Remember when the 76ers started the season 4–0? What happened to that team? Philadelphia hasn’t managed consecutive wins since, batting below .500 in the subsequent month. On the season, the Sixers are statistically mid on both offense and defense, ranking 15th leaguewide on each side of the ball.
Paul George continues to ramp up from his knee injury, while Joel Embiid’s injury problems have bled into the new campaign (he’s listed as questionable but missed Tuesday’s game). However, what would have sounded preposterous a few years ago now rings true — neither George nor Embiid is the bellwether of this team.
Tyrese Maxey has turned his game up a notch and is now a top-three scorer in the game, averaging 32.5 points per game along with 7.5 assists and 4.8 rebounds. Against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday, Maxey dropped 35 points, six assists, and four rebounds with a season-high four steals. The star guard is flanked by Quentin Grimes and VJ Edgecombe on the wings and can even lean on leading rebounder Andre Drummond, who has magically become a knockdown perimeter threat.
Warriors vs. 76ers Pick, Best Bet
The Sixers might not be the most formidable defensive team, but they’ve held strong on the perimeter and should thwart the squad that lives and dies by the three-ball. Seemingly, no team has had an answer for Maxey yet — and it doesn’t seem likely that the understaffed Warriors will be the ones to crack the code.
The Warriors are 2–4 without their franchise superstar this season, with their only wins coming against the Pelicans and Indiana Pacers. The 76ers are a massive step up in competition from those stumbling squads and — especially considering Golden State’s road woes — should take care of business in a convincing fashion.
Best Bet: Philadelphia 76ers -3.5 Points (-162)
