The Sixers (15-52) return home to face the Chicago Bulls (37-30) on Wednesday night after setting the franchise record with 21 consecutive losses.
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. (CSN) at the Wells Fargo Center.
Let's take a closer look at the matchup:
1. A game of 21
Now what?
The Sixers suffered a 99-90 loss to the Eastern Conference-leading Indiana Pacers on Monday to set the franchise mark for consecutive defeats with 21. They surpassed the previous record of 20 straight losses set by the 1972-73 squad.
Next on the club's docket could be the NBA record for losses in a row at home. The Sixers have already dropped a franchise-worst 16 straight at the Wells Fargo Center and are creeping up on the league record of 19 set by the 1993-94 Dallas Mavericks.
The Sixers could take that next false step against a tough Bulls squad on Wednesday. Despite splitting their last eight games overall, the Bulls trampled the Sixers by 25 points the last time the two teams met on Jan. 18.
NBA
2. No Joakim around
Joakim Noah enjoys dominating the Sixers.
Whether it's because a few Philadelphia fans cheered when he got injured during a playoff series a couple years back or because he simply knows he can take advantage of a weak frontcourt, Noah takes pleasure in torturing the Sixers.
In two games against the Sixers this season, Noah is averaging 15.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.5 blocks and 2.0 steals. Overall, the center has scored at least 21 points in three of his last four games against them.
Henry Sims has proven to be a capable defender in the paint, but a motivated Noah might be too much to handle.
3. Downright offensive
The Sixers have struggled to score during their losing skid and it won't get any easier against the gritty Bulls.
Anchored by Defensive Player of the Year candidate Noah, the Bulls are second in the NBA in points allowed with 92.3 a game. They are also second in opponents' shooting percentage at 43.1.
The Sixers' once high-octane offense has sputtered during the team's 21-game skid. They are averaging 95.0 points over that stretch. Plus, the Sixers rank 27th in field goal percentage (43.1) and 30th in three-point percentage (30.7) this season.
All of that should add up to the Sixers' having a difficult time finding the bottom of the net on Wednesday night.
4. Injuries
James Anderson (thigh) missed the Sixers' game against the Pacers and is day to day.
Nerlens Noel (knee) and Jason Richardson (knee) are out for the Sixers.
Tornike Shengelia (flu) is day to day.
Derrick Rose (knee) remains out for the season.
5. This and that
• The Sixers have not won since beating the Boston Celtics on Jan. 29.
• The Sixers have averaged just 90.3 points in their last four home games.
• Chicago finished its recent six-game homestand with a 3-3 mark and now hits the road, where it's 16-17 this season.
• The Bulls shot 48.8 percent in their last game against the Sixers.
• One of the Sixers' eight home wins this season came over the Bulls on Nov. 2.