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Dec 23, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts to a scored against the Washington Wizards during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 23, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts to a scored against the Washington Wizards during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The Charlotte Hornets will host the Philadelphia 76ers in this mouth-watering NBA clash as both teams arrive with three consecutive wins in their kitty; both their winning streaks are at stake here.
Date & Time: February 3, 2021, 7pm ET
Venue: Spectrum Center, Charlotte
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Records: Hornets (10-11), 76ers (15-6)
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Dec 12, 2020; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard forward Gordon Hayward (20) drives in during the second half against the Toronto Raptors at the Spectrum Center. Raptors won 111-100. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Preview | Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets won their previous game in overtime against the Miami Heat. However, the talking point of it wasn’t the late victory but the much-awaited introduction of star-rookie LaMelo Ball to the starting lineup.
His fans (more importantly, his father LaVar) have been critical of his bench role. With regular starter Terry Rozier out with an ankle sprain, coach James Borrego handed him a start. And he performed admirably, recording 14 points and 7 assists in 31 minutes of play.
Rozier is listed as questionable to play against the 76ers. So if he doesn’t return, LaMelo can make a stronger case for himself with a mammoth performance while potential 2021 NBA All-Star Gordon Hayward will again be their key player.
That is an unreal clutch pass from LaMelo Ball. Wow. @NBA | @MELOD1P pic.twitter.com/JSN8rCUhxn
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) February 2, 2021
Starting 5 for the Charlotte Hornets
Guard – LaMelo Ball
Guard – Devonte Graham
Center – Cody Zeller
Forward – PJ Washington
Forward – Gordon Hayward
Preview | Philadelphia 76ers
The team from the city of brotherly love find themselves at the top of the Eastern Conference standings, which is mostly thanks to the key backroom changes they underwent in the offseason. Hence, they are an all-around team now with their trade acquisitions, Danny Green and Seth Curry, covering up their three-point deficiencies.
Joel Embiid is having an MVP level season with a career-high 28.3 points per game, along with 11.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks. His collision with LeBron James caused him to take a night-off but he will be fit and ready for this one.
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 27, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris (12) celebrates with guard Ben Simmons (25) and center Joel Embiid (21) after scoring the game winning basket during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Starting 5 for the Philadelphia 76ers
Guard – Ben Simmons
Guard – Seth Curry
Center – Joel Embiid
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Forward – Danny Green
Forward – Tobias Harris
Predictions | Hornets vs 76ers
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Although the 76ers are the favorites for this matchup, you can’t underestimate the quality that the Hornets have been displaying recently. It will be exciting to watch the two point guards, Simmons and Ball, butt heads. Their performance may well decide the fate of this game.
Read More – Can the Sixers Never Win Without Joel Embiid Holding Their Back?
