It’s like we’re stuck in hell with the Philadelphia 76ers over the past few weeks. Injuries and COVID-19 health and safety protocols have killed this team over the last five games and tonight, the Sixers will look to avoid their sixth straight loss against a very good Nuggets team in Denver. This will be yet another game the Sixers have to play without Joel Embiid and Matisse Thybulle, who are still going through the process of getting cleared to play after missing lengthly time in health and safety protocols.

The Sixers are winless without Joel Embiid, who has been sidelined since last Monday. Losing Matisse Thybulle has hurt this team defensively and of course, without the big fella anchoring this team on both ends of the court, it’s been a challenge to win games and stay competitive on a tough six game road trip.

Last game, with the exception of Shake Milton and Tyrese Maxey, no one on the Sixers could get things moving. Tobias Harris played 27 minutes and went 4-for-9 from the floor and 1-for-3 from three point range for a total of 12 points on the night. Seth Curry was 1-for-8 with five points and the bench wasn’t able to get a contributor over eight points, which came from Isiah Joe who shot 3-for-11 from the floor and 1-for-8 from beyond the arc.

As for the Nuggets, they have been fantastic on defensive and currently rank third in the NBA in defensive efficiency. Over their last five games, they lead the league in points scored per 100 possessions. During that same timeframe, they have shot lights out from three point range. Basically, the Nuggets are playing great and the Sixers are doing anything but that.

Michael Porter Jr. will continue to sit tonight and Will Barton is reportedly doubtful. The Sixers will obviously be without Joel Embiid and Matisse Thybulle as well as Ben Simmons, who is getting fined and playing basketball at St. Joseph’s University instead of traveling with his team when they needed him the most on this road trip.

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I lead you guys down a terrible path against the Utah Jazz with the Sixers +10 and the over. I will not do that again for tonight’s game. We are fading the Sixers in every way possible. The Sixers won’t be able to keep it close against the Nuggets and will get terrorized again, on their way to a sixth straight loss.

Nuggets -7.5 and U 209.5 (-109)