THE Philadelphia 76ersentering a home game Friday against the Charlotte Frelonsare looking for ways to win games without reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid.
Since Embiid suffered a left knee injury that required surgery, the Sixers are 4-8.
At this rate, they could find themselves in the top six spots in the Eastern Conference and make the playoff play-in tournament. Philadelphia is currently tied with the Orlando Magic and Indiana Pacers for fifth, sixth and seventh.
Embiid gives hope for a potential return before the end of the regular season.
“That’s the plan,” he said Thursday. “Obviously everything has to go well, down to being healthy and being as close as I’m supposed to be. But yeah, that’s the plan.”
In their last game without the star big man, the Sixers were defeated 117-99 by the host Boston Celtics on Tuesday.
Tyrese Maxey scored 32 points to pace Philadelphia. Tobias Harris had 13 points but shot just 5 of 19. Harris has struggled offensively over the last four games, averaging 10.8 points on 32.1 percent shooting, after s ‘recovering from illness and ankle injury.
“I want him to let things come to him a little bit and I definitely want him to do other things,” Sixers coach Nick Nurse said of Harris finding his rhythm. “You always have to defend, rebound and draw offense from others, set screens and make sure it’s not totally absorbed in trying to get out of the crisis. I think he does that.”
Besides Embiid, the Sixers will also be without De’Anthony Melton. After suffering a spinal injury, Melton returned for three games, but he twisted his back against the Celtics and was ruled out for the Hornets game.
The reeling Hornets will arrive in Philadelphia after back-to-back losses to the Bucks – 123-85 Tuesday in Milwaukee and 111-99 Thursday in Charlotte.
In the latest loss, rookie Brandon Miller scored 21 points to lead the Hornets, and Grant Williams added 17. Miles Bridges had 15 points and 10 rebounds.
The Hornets have lost three of their last four games, failing to score 100 points in all four contests. They ranked 28th out of 30 NBA teams averaging 107.5 points per game.
Charlotte also ranks just 24th in defense, allowing 118.1 points per game.
Hornets coach Steve Clifford said after Thursday’s loss: “We moved away from practices where we just had bad positions, bad angles and no help. Guys shouldn’t be crushing us like they were .”
At the other end of the court, the Hornets launched 39 3-pointers and made 12. The number of long-range attempts displeased Clifford.
“The ball has to hit the paint,” Clifford said. “We’re not executing well enough and playing with enough strength or determination. We’re not taking bad shots, but we’re taking decent shots. We need to make really good shots. When we’ve done that, We were efficient.”
The Hornets remain without LaMelo Ball, who hasn’t played since Jan. 26 due to an ankle injury.
“He’s doing the same things he was doing two weeks ago. He’s doing everything we allow him to do,” Clifford said of Ball. “He wants to come back, but he just doesn’t feel healthy enough and people aren’t comfortable enough for him to play.”
–Field level media
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