Throughout the first seventeen games of the season, the Sixers were incapable of winning games, but recently that trend of ugly play has come to a close. They have won two of their last three and now with a record of 2-18 on the season, they find themselves only 6.5 games back of the eight seed in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Go ahead and read that again if you must. Now, there is not a chance I’m going to say this team has a shot at a playoff push because anyone who has watched enough basketball in their days can easily see this team isn’t ready for anything along those lines just yet. But they are playing much better basketball as of late and the progressions they’ve made along the course of this season are staggering in my mind. Not even two weeks ago, we were contemplating whether or not this is the worst team to ever step foot on a basketball court, now were off the losing streak and everything’s looking positive for Brett Brown and his crew.
After defeating the Pistons Saturday night in Detroit, the Sixers had a little break in their schedule before tonight’s assignment, as they travel to Atlanta for a date with the 14-6 Hawks, who are currently sitting pretty with the number two seed in the Eastern Conference and only trailing the 16-6 Toronto Raptors by one game. After getting off to an average start, the Hawks have taken flight recently and have been victorious in their past seven games. They are 9-1 in their past ten games and hold a 9-2 record when taking the floor in Philips Arena this season.
Al Horford has recorded at least one block in his last ten games. He has 8 rebounds and 3 blocks in his past two games and the defense has been coming together, and the versatile big man has inspired the Atlanta defense lately, giving them a major advantage in close games late in regulation. Horford’s offense has been productive this season as well, as he’s been shooting a scorching 54 percent from the floor this season. He also accumulated 25 points on Monday versus the Pacers in route to the Hawks seventh consecutive win. Paul Millsap has also been contributing on both ends during the winning streak. He’s been averaging 15.9 points per game since the Hawks last loss, which came on November 26th at home to the hands of the East leading Raptors, and he’s also now the league leader in steals.
As for the Sixers, their highlight has been the play surprisingly amazing play of young point guard Michael Carter-Williams as of late. The aspiring superstar has been averaging superstar like numbers throughout his past five games and playing probably the best basketball of his NBA career. Just from watching him recently, I feel like I’m watching him back in his Syracuse days again. He seems to be playing free and with a better attitude, resulting in everything coming together in a positive way. Even his outside shot has been connecting more than usual. Also, Nerlens Noel has been feeding off the play of MCW, he’s looking like a much improved player since the start of the season and has been continuously displaying his talents. If the Sixers can somehow leave Atlanta with a victory it would really be an accomplishment for the young team.
Game Notes
- MCW is averaging 19.6 points, 12.2 assists, and 9.0 rebounds per game over his past five games and no one else has put up numbers like these since Magic Johnson in 1991.
- The Hawks current seven-game winning streak is the franchise’s longest since winning seven consecutive in November, 2009.
- The Hawks rank fourth in the NBA in assists (25.5 per game).
- Former Sixer Kyle Korver is shooting an NBA best 55 percent on three-pointers.
Injury Report
Sixers: Joel Embiid – (right foot stress fracture, out), Jason Richardson – (right foot stress fracture, out), Tony Wroten – (sprain right knee, doubtful) and Alexey Shved – (left hip flexor strain, questionable)
Hawks: No injuries to report
Projected Starters
Sixers:
PG- Michael Carter-Williams
SG- Hollis Thompson
SF- Luc Mbah a Moute
PF- Nerlens Noel
C- Henry Sims
Hawks:
PG- Jeff Teague
SG- Kyle Korver
SF- DeMarre Carroll
PF- Paul Millsap
C- Al Horford
Prediction: Sixers may hang in for a while but they’re catching the Hawks at the wrong time. This team is hot right now and will be too much for the Sixers to handle. Hawks 108-91.
