Sixers at Hornets: 3 storylines to watch and how to stream the game

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Following one of their biggest wins of the year over Milwaukee, the Sixers (45-25) are back in Charlotte (31-38) for their final matchup against the Hornets this season. Joel Embiid (load management) is out for tonight’s game. Here are three storylines to watch:

When: 7 p.m. ET with Sixers Pregame Live at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Spectrum Center
Broadcast: NBC Sports Philadelphia+
Live stream: NBCSportsPhiladelphia.com and the NBC MyTeams app

The closer

Despite Kemba Walker dropping 60 in their last matchup, Jimmy Butler was the one who got the last laugh, coming up with a huge block and the overtime game-winner. Butler is a closer, and his presence in fourth quarters has been consistent since the Sixers traded for him back in November. We saw it again on Sunday when Butler was vital in helping withstand a Bucks late run in the game, knocking down 4 of his 8 field goals in the final six minutes. Butler said on Monday he thinks the Sixers are a good enough team to put this Charlotte squad away early. But, if not ... expect Butler to do his thing late.

Kemba Walker

Speaking of Walker, he is coming off arguably his worst game of the year, finishing with just 10 points (4 of 16 shooting) in the Hornets' 93-75 loss to Miami on Sunday. But Walker is averaging 40.2 points against the Sixers through three games this season.

Playoff inching closer

That loss to the Miami Heat on Sunday was a big one for Charlotte. The Heat now own the tiebreaker, and the Hornets are essentially three games behind Miami for the eight-seed. With 13 games left, Charlotte knows its playoff hopes are on the line. As for the Sixers, who sit third in the East, they are well aware of how locking up that three-seed could have a serious impact on how deep they’re able to make a run in the playoffs. Plenty on the line for both teams tonight.

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