With Ben Simmons out indefinitely due to knee surgery, the Sixers defeated the Magic on Friday night 108-101. The game was highlighted by strong performances from Alec Burks and Al Horford.

Horford, who stepped back into the starting lineup in place of Ben Simmons, finished with 21 points, 9 rebounds (5 offensive), 2 assists, and a block. We also saw strong performances from Harris (23 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists), Burks (22 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists), and Embiid (23 points, 14 rebounds). Harris’ 15 rebounds tie a season-high, while Burks’ 22 points marked his highest scoring outing in a Sixers’ uniform.

While there are some positive things happening with the Sixers, the 1st half on Friday wasn’t great. In the 2nd half, the Sixers picked up the intensity, thanks to Joel Embiid and were able to pull away from the Magic for the win.

Tonight against the Blazers, defense will be the key to the game.

The Trailblazers are in the midst of a heated playoff race in the Western Conference and currently sit 1.5 games behind the No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies. These bubble games mean much more for a team like Portland rather than the Sixers.

The Blazers have won 3 of 5 and will face the Sixers on the 2nd d day of a back-to-back. In Portland’s 122-117 loss Saturday to the Clippers, CJ McCollum led the team with 29 points, four rebounds, and eight assists.

Stop Portland’s outside shooting. Own the paint. The Sixers have a shot. 

I will be looking for Josh Richardson and Shake Milton to step up, along with another solid bench performance from Alec Burks. Harris, Embiid, and Horford need to continue to be dominant.

PREDICTIONS & BETTING:

• I will definitely get killed for this but I’m fading the Sixers today and taking Portland -3 tonight.
• I’ll also go Horford o11.5 points and Embiid o27.5 points.
• Sixers will most likely lose this game, Twitter will go crazy, but at the end of the day, does it really matter? Me betting against the Sixers tonight almost guarantees a Sixers win.

Unite, or Die.