NBA
Sixers vs Hornets: Can They Contain Kemba Walker?
The Philadelphia 76ers will have to find a way to contain Kemba Walker. The Sixers are also forced to make a game time decision as well. Will they insert their seven-foot double double machine into their starting lineup? Or will they allow him to rest? Joel Embiid and teammate Amir Johnson had a mishap which took place during practice on Friday.
The result was a rolled ankle which might cause the potential MVP candidate to miss tonight’s game. If Sixers Coach Brett Brown chooses the option to sit Embiid, ironically the likely replacement in the starting lineup will be Amir Johnson. This type of setback is no stranger to Embiid, whom has had a history of lengthy injuries over the course of his five year career.
Will The Sixers Be Able To Trust The Process?
Although the Hornets (3-3) and Sixers (2-3) have similar records, the Charlotte Hornets clearly have the momentum coming into tonight’s match up. They are coming off of a 29 point blowout win at home against the struggling Chicago Bulls. Ben Simmons will have his hands full containing Walker, who’s the newest member of the 10,000 point club. The three point specialist put up 30 points in the winning effort for his team. He has maintained a career high 45 percent three point average over six games this season.
This Is Not Last Season…
If the Sixers could channel their mojo from last season, they might have a shot at winning tonight’s match up. The Hornets were not able to earn a single win against the Sixers in a four game series during the 2017-18 campaign. A big part of the reason why was due to their lack of strong defensive play.
It’s now the Sixers turn to find out a way to get past their defensive woes, which have plagued them so far this season. Will the Sixers be able to find a way to come up with a win without their center Joel Embiid? Or will it be a last second decision that will put their All Star center on the floor? His average of 29 points and 12 rebounds per game would give them the edge that they would need to get a much needed win at home. Tune in to find out!
Written by Todd Smith
Photo Credit
Mike Flasterstein via Flickr
