Sixers-Warriors 5 things: Facing a slipping super team

Share

The Sixers (24-42) close out their four-game road trip against the Golden State Warriors (52-14) at Oracle Arena (10:30 p.m./CSN, CSNPhilly.com and the NBC Sports app).

Let's take a closer look at the matchup:

1. Seeing some payoff
The Sixers put forth a solid effort in the first two games of their road trip without the desired result on the scoreboard. That changed against the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Sixers squeaked by down the stretch for a 118-116 win over the Lakers on Sunday night.

Dario Saric set a new career high with 29 points as the team shot 51.9 percent from the field overall to snap a four-game skid.

"There were some mistakes down the stretch, some turnovers, and that's things you can't have if you want to win," Richaun Holmes said. "Fortunately, we were able to make enough plays to win."

2. Wobbling Warriors
Surprisingly, the Warriors are the team bringing the losing skid into this matchup. Golden State has dropped three in a row.

The latest loss came on Saturday night when head coach Steve Kerr opted to sit his starters at the end of a lengthy road trip in a nationally televised game with the San Antonio Spurs. That caused a bit of a stir with reserve and former Sixer Andre Iguodala (see story).

With the controversy aside, things haven't been going well for the Warriors lately. They are just 2-4 since Kevin Durant went down with a knee injury and are now tied for the NBA's best record with the Spurs.

That's certainly not how a team wants to finish the regular season, but it also means the Sixers should be ready for a rested and focused Warriors team.

3. Missing the mark
A major reason the Warriors have struggled of late is their normally lethal three-point shooting has failed them.

Golden State started its winding road trip by shooting 6 for 29 (20.7 percent) from deep in a 119-108 win over the Sixers on Feb. 27. Stephen Curry was a shocking 0 for 11 from three-point range during that game.

Things haven't been much better since for the Dubs. Curry may be disowned as a Splash Brother after shooting 23.7 percent from long range in the seven games after beating the Sixers, which has contributed to the team's 29.9 percent mark from deep during that span.

We'll see if the Warriors regain that deadly touch from distance on Tuesday night.

4. Injuries
Robert Covington (knee) is probable. Tiago Splitter (calf), Joel Embiid (knee), Ben Simmons (foot) and Jerryd Bayless (wrist) are out for the Sixers.

Durant (knee) is out for the Warriors.

5. This and that
• The Sixers have lost seven straight games to the Warriors.

• Saric is averaging 19.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 10 games since the All-Star break.

• The Sixers allowed 62 points in the paint during the season's first meeting.

Contact Us