Game Preview: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Philadelphia 76ers, coming off their second win of the season, will hit the road to the face the Minnesota Timberwolves at 8pm in the Target Center.
The Philadelphia 76ers (2-9) are coming off their second win of the season against an injury-riddled Washington Wizards team, giving them ample momentum heading into a road matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves (3-7). They will welcome the return of Joel Embiid in a matchup that will feature two of the league’s most promising post talents, with Karl-Anthony Towns lining up on the other side.
This is, perhaps, one of the most exciting games thus far in the campaign. The Timberwolves, like the Sixers, have been rebuilding through the draft, and a myriad of young, explosive talents will be on display on both sides of the basketball. While Minnesota hasn’t performed at the level many expected from an overall record standpoint, there is still a good bit of firepower in the rotation and a lot of intriguing matchups for the Sixers to handle.
The big men matchups
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The focal point of this game, by far, will be that aforementioned battle in the post. The likes of Embiid and Towns are quickly emerging as two of the league’s most skilled bigs, and have the type of two-way big play ability that should make this an exciting matchup to watch. Embiid hasn’t yet played a center who’s ready to match him stride for stride, whether off the dribble or in the post, and how he handles his most versatile opponent to date is certainly worth keeping an eye on.
The Wolves also bolster another skilled big in Gorgui Dieng, who has played well above expectations this year. He’s an elite shot blocking presence around the rim and a notable scoring threat at the basket. He’s someone that, when combined alongside Towns, gives the Wolves a lot of size for such a mobile unit — a potentially tough matchup for the likes of Dario Saric or Ersan Ilyasova.
Cole Aldrich, Nemanja Bjelica, and Andreian Payne will provide the Sixers with a versatile, but manageable set of adversaries in reserve.
Containing the perimeter
The Wolves’ perimeter studs have also proven they’re capable of showing out as of late. Andrew Wiggins recently put up 47 points in last Sunday’s matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers, while Zach LaVine has become a much more dynamic threat as of late. Both are quick off the bounce and highly explosive en route to the basket, which could give the Sixers some concerns heading in.
We saw the team display great energy on the defensive end in their win last night, and if that carries over they should be in a good position. Wiggins and LaVine, however, are massive upgrades on the wing in comparison to Sheldon McClellan and Otto Porter, and should be game planned for as such.
Gerald Henderson is the team’s best wing defender as it stands, and will likely be tasked with chasing around LaVine when he’s in the game. Covington, who has struggled as of late, will likely be tasked with keeping pace with Wiggins.
Point guard play
This should be one of the easier matchups for the Sixers at the one spot thus far. As two Spanish National Team teammates, Sergio Rodriguez should be amply familiar with his opposing starter in Ricky Rubio. While Rubio is an incredible passer, he’s not going to pour in many points and is somebody who Rodriguez and TJ McConnell should be able to defend without problem.
Kris Dunn offers a more physical scoring nature off the bench, but has been struggling as of late and still hasn’t proven himself to be a consistent producer in reserve.
Embiid, Okafor have to show up
This game is going to revolve around the big men, which means the likes of Embiid and Jahlil Okafor are going to have to step it up for Philadelphia. Embiid’s confidence has carried him to some stellar play thus far, but this is a different type of challenge that he hasn’t quite seen yet. Minnesota will throw a pair of quality rim protectors at him, while Okafor will face the same challenge off the bench.
Towns is capable of stretching out to the 3-point line with Embiid, as well as staying with him off the bounce. Embiid’s main struggle so far this season has been efficiency, and the Minnesota defense is going to make Embiid hit well-contested shots. If there’s one major area of concern coming in, it’s going to be just how consistent Embiid’s production at the helm of the offensive game plan is throughout the night.
He has all the tools needed to produce, and this will be the biggest test yet of his ability to go out and utilize those to his utmost advantage.
The bench mob has to continue to produce
The Sixers’ bench has been largely a bright spot this season, and that has to continue against an energetic, young Tom Thibodeau-led unit. Nik Stauskas has shown massive strides in terms of both his consistency from deep and his poise off the bounce. He’s watching plays develop rather that rushing ill-advised shots, and coupling that with legitimate effort defensively. Hollis Thompson, the longest-tenured Sixer on the roster, has shown several similar improvements as well.
Okafor has produced well coming in behind Embiid this season as well, and the energy from guys like Richaun Holmes and Ersan Ilyasova — or Saric, depending on who starts — has to keep the defense in tact when Embiid takes a seat.
What to expect
This is a winnable game, even though some of the matchups will be difficult to handle. The Timberwolves have been woeful at times throughout the campaign, and their young talent has gone through many of the growing pains we see Philadelphia’s roster experience on a nightly basis.
There’s a good chance we see some sloppy basketball tonight, and that could benefit either team depending on where the effort is most prominent. Embiid versus Towns is the main event, but pay attention to how the Sixers’ perimeter play does against a rather unique group of talents from Minnesota. Philadelphia has a chance to win back-to-back games for the first time in what seems like an eternity at this point — it comes down to which roster executes at the highest level.
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