It’s pretty crazy how just a few weeks ago the entire city of Philadelphia was head over heels in love with the Philadelphia 76ers potential heading into the bubble. The team was healthy. It was almost too good to be true. Turns out, eating that apple was a bad idea.

After the Wizards game on Wednesday, we watched Ben Simmons come down awkwardly on his knee. After the game, Simmons was listed as out for tonight’s match up against the Magic as he was diagnosed with subluxation of the left patella. He’s currently day-to-day as we all await on any time of updates from the 76ers medical staff.

Like usual, there is a massive amount of uncertainty with Ben Simmons’ injury. So we can table that for now. It’s time to move forward, like we always do, and figure out what the Sixers rotation will look like when they take the floor tonight against the Magic.

The Magic are also dealing with their own injuries. Aaron Gordon left the court Wednesday against Toronto with a hamstring injury, a game Michael Carter-Williams had sat out with a foot injury. Both players will be out tonight against the Sixers.

Guard Michael Carter-Williams (strained tendon, left foot) and forward Aaron Gordon (strained left hamstring) are both out tonight against Philadelphia.

— Orlando Magic PR (@Magic_PR) August 7, 2020

Even with MCW and Aaron Gordon out, the Magic are just one of those bad teams that always seem to give the Sixers problems. Nik Vucevic will certainly stretch the floor in an attempt to kill Embiid’s effectiveness defensively. He will join Fultz and James Ennis in the storyline of “What former Sixers player will have a career night against the Sixers?”. It always happens. It’s just a matter of who’s going to be the guy. Terrance Ross might come out and pull at TJ Warren. Who the hell knows?

Regardless, tonight we should all be focused on the rotation. It will be interesting to see how Brett Brown, who in my opinion, has done a terrible job with the rotation since basketball resumed, manages his team tonight.

The likely option is that Al Horford slides back into the starting lineup. Brett should also consider moving Alec Burks, who has been on fire since the return, into the 3 slot and Tobias Harris down to the 4. Furkan and Matisse are also options but their inability to provide above average ball handling will be a problem.

Sure enough, Brett Brown, like he’s done since he’s been here, will tinker with the rotation all night and drive us all insane heading into the weekend. Sounds like just another day of Sixers basketball to me.

LINES | SPREADS | PLAYER PROPS

FOX BET has a nice boost happening for tonight’s game with Embiid to record a double double and Sixers win. It’s currently at +100.

I also like Shake Milton and Josh Richardson both over 13.5 points.

The Sixers are -5 on the game which I will be taking as well. The Magic stink.

Even without Ben Simmons, let’s see if Embiid, Harris, and none other than Shake Milton can continue to perform well and head into the weekend with a sweet, sweet, victory.