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Jan 2, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) is defended by Charlotte Hornets center Bismack Biyombo (8) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 2, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) is defended by Charlotte Hornets center Bismack Biyombo (8) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The Philadelphia 76ers are off to a flying start in the 2021 NBA season. The team is currently enjoying a three-game winning streak, and they’re once again set to take on the Charlotte Hornets after posting a convincing win against the same team on Saturday.
Venue: Wells Fargo Center
Time: 7:00 PM ET (January 4, 2021)
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A healthy roster always predicts success for the Philadelphia 76ers, and things have gone the same way so far. They’re 5-1 for the season and stand atop their division after recently defeating the Hornets 127-112. But can they do it again and complete the double-header?
Philadelphia 76ers vs Charlotte Hornets – Preview and Lineups
76ers
The Sixers are in tremendous form at the moment, and as expected, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons are leading from the front. They’ve only faced one defeat in six games, which speaks a lot about how dominant the team has been so far.
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Dec 26, 2020; New York, New York, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts to scoring a basket in front of New York Knicks guard Alec Burks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in New York at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
As far as injuries are concerned, their main core remains free of any worries, but the team will miss 32-year-old Mike Scott when they take on Charlotte on Monday. In addition to this, they will also play without Furkan Korkmaz for a week or more.
Possible Lineup
Ben Simmons (G)
Seth Curry (G)
Danny Green (F)
Tobias Harris (F)
Joel Embiid (C)
Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets are 2-4 in the regular season, but both their victories came against power-packed teams; hence, it is proven that they’re capable of upsets. LaMelo Ball is still finding his way around in the league, but his numbers are certainly promising.
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Dec 27, 2020; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (2) passes during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at the Spectrum Center. Hornets won 106-104. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Terry Rozier is in good form early on, and he put up 35 against the Sixers in the previous game, which makes him a player to look out for. If he fires big once again, Charlotte has a real chance of grabbing a win.
The team will be without Cody Zeller, who won’t play for the next four to six weeks due to a fractured left hand. Besides Zeller, 22-year-old P.J. Washington is also a doubtful candidate for the second part of the double-header as he suffered a minor injury in the first game against Philadelphia.
Possible Lineup
Devonte’ Graham (G)
Terry Rozier (G)
Gordon Hayward (F)
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Jalen McDaniels (F)
Bismack Biyombo (C)
Prediction
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The Charlotte Hornets have a revamped roster and look more threatening now. However, they’re yet to establish themselves as a winning team, and four losses to open the season with is not the right way to do that.
The Philadelphia 76ers are a stronger team on paper, and they seem to work it out well as a unit. Their shooting has been top-notch so far, and there’s only little that the Hornets can do if the Sixers replicate a similar form from Saturday night. Hence, we predict that Joel Embiid and his team will get a comfortable win to hold their place at the top of the Eastern Conference.
