The Philadelphia 76ers are bracing for their upcoming clash with the Houston Rockets, but they'll have to do so without their star center Joel Embiid, who is sidelined with a sprained right ankle sustained on December 22. The Sixers have felt Embiid's absence, stumbling through a four-game losing streak before finally securing a win against Orlando.
Injury Woes for the Sixers
Adding to the Sixers' challenges, Nico Batum will miss his fifth consecutive game due to a lingering hamstring injury. Despite these setbacks, the team has seen commendable performances from other players. Tyrese Maxey recently lit up the scoreboard with 22 points, while Tobias Harris and De'Anthony Melton have stepped up to fill the void left by Embiid. Paul Reed also made a notable contribution in the recent victory, putting up 15 points, grabbing ten rebounds, and dishing out three assists.
Season Performance
On the road, the Sixers have shown resilience, boasting a 9-5 record away from home. Offensively, they rank fourth in scoring, demonstrating their ability to put points on the board. Their sharpshooting prowess is evident as they stand ninth in field goal percentage and sixth in three-point accuracy. However, when it comes to the volume of three-point shots, they rank 18th in the league in terms of three-point field goals per game.
Defensively, the Sixers are a force to be reckoned with, allowing the fifth-fewest points per game. They maintain a strong seventh place in field goal defense and an impressive fifth in defending the three-point line. Their careful handling of the ball has them placed fifth in turnovers per game, though they find themselves at a middle-of-the-pack 14th in rebounding.
Rockets' Home Court Advantage
Turning to the Houston Rockets, they hold a formidable 12-4 record on their home court, despite dropping their last two games there. Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green have been bright spots for the team; Sengun racked up 24 points against the Suns, while Green added 23 points, including six from beyond the arc.
Defensively, the Rockets are even more dominant than the Sixers, ranking second in points allowed per game. They sit third in limiting opponents' field goal percentage and lead the league in three-point defense. On the glass, the Rockets are also a top-tier team, securing the sixth spot in rebounding across the NBA.
Rockets' Injury Report
However, Houston is not without its own injury concerns. Victor Oladipo is yet to make a season appearance as he recovers from knee surgery. Dillon Brooks, who has been contributing 13.6 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, is currently out with an oblique injury. Additionally, Jabari Smith Jr., averaging 13.7 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, will also miss the next game due to an ankle injury.
Adapting Strategies
Both teams are adapting to their compromised rosters. A quote from a team representative highlights the challenge: "I think we certainly got to find another style to play because it's so different when he's there, and the first couple [of games] weren't great," said Nurse. "Playing well enough to give ourselves a chance to win is the main thing without Joel."
This sentiment underscores the need for tactical flexibility and the importance of contributions from every player on the roster. As the Sixers continue to navigate the season without Embiid's presence on the court, they'll rely on this collective effort and strategic adjustments to maintain their competitive edge.
As both the Philadelphia 76ers and Houston Rockets prepare to face off, they each carry the weight of their respective injuries and the pressure to adapt. With playoff implications always in play, how each team compensates for their missing pieces could very well set the tone for the remainder of their seasons.