Game Day: 76ers (5-0) @ Suns (4-2), Mon 11/4/19

[Superbone]

Time: 7:00 pm AZ (6:00 pm PT/9:00 pm ET)
Place: Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, AZ
TV: FSAZ, NBALP

Let's be the first team to put a blemish on the 76ers record. What do you say, Suns Nation?

Go Suns!!!

Dis • cuss

[Democritus]

First of all, you sure won the bet against Worm already. This team is playoff-bound regardless of what happens against the Sixers tonight. Just fight until the last possession and good things will happen. For Saric, this is a revenge game and Booker needs to step up big time tonight. In the end 101-99 for the Suns with Booker at the buzzer.

[Superbone]

First of all, you sure won the bet against Worm already.

I sure hope so. Maybe it would get Cap off my back. The funny thing is the over/under total Worm and I set months ago is exactly what Vegas ended up having it at. My Vegas bet I put down was over/under 29.5 points and I of course bet the over.

[Nodack]

This game will certainly be a test. The Improved Suns won’t be surprising anyone anymore. I expect the 76ers to be focused. I have a bad feeling about this one. Gonna need the kamikaze defense to run on all cylinders.

[pickle]

If we lose by more than 5 points, I'd be disappointed. Start of season I would've set that number at 15. So there's been wonderful progress and I hope we keep it up. But I don't see us dealing with the size and physicality that the 76ers bring to the table. I do hope I'm wrong and we deal them their first L.

[ShelC]

No Embiid, no Ayton.

Horford and Baynes will be a battle. Simmons is a tough matchup. Can't let Richardson or Harris get hot. Need to watch OQuinn off the bench. He's a load like Baynes.

[Cap]

538’s latest suns projections: 39-43, 26% chance to make playoffs.

[SDC]

Miami vs Phoenix in the 2020 Finals.

[Democritus]

I still dream of a suns bucks final

[Mori Chu]

Despite our hot start, normally I would predict a big loss vs Philly due to Embiid. But since he's not playing due to his fighting suspension, this suddenly becomes a very winnable game. I think we can give them all they can handle. I'm looking forward to this one. Our biggest test yet of the young season.

Battle of the teams with PGs who can't shoot, and suspended centers!

[phatmike]

Sure is nice looking forward to games this year. Their consistent effort has been so refreshing to watch - maybe that is being coached; weird, right? I think other teams/coaches are going to start to realize the change and adapt to this new look suns and I think eventually the suns are going to come back down to a .500 pace even though they could easily be 6-0 right now.

The good news is that the adjustments made by our opponents might translate to a more modest record at the end of the season, the framework for a new team identity has been started. The real question is - what will happen when this team runs into some real adversity? Will the framework crumble, or will it stand firm? If it stands firm, we might have something special in our hands in a couple of years.

Here's to hoping...

[Xylus]

This Sixers team is so stacked, it’s hard to fathom. They’re an elite rebounding team, a very good defensive team, and they’re #1 in steals. They struggle offensively at times, particularly from deep (31.5% 3PT), but they score a shit ton in the paint with Embiid. Without him, they’re probably pedestrian.

I’m predicting a close loss, 112-107.

[Split T]

Philly has a really good starting 5...their bench sucks. We need our starters to keep it close and for our bench to go on some runs.

[Nodack]

Philadelphia 76ers: 3 players to watch for against the Phoenix Suns
https://thesixersense.com/2019/11/04/ph ... enix-suns/

Carter will most likely have the responsibilities of guarding Josh Richardson who serves as the Sixers primary backup point guard. Carter will tire out Richardson throughout the contest with his ability to pressure ball handlers at such a high level. It will be interest to see how Richardson handles a defender like Carter.

Saric will most likely will matchup against Tobias Harris or Ben Simmons on most possessions in this game. To be blunt, Saric will have a hard time against either on both sides of the ball. He’s not nearly athletic or skilled enough to defend either player and the same goes for taking advantage of them on offense. This could be a rough game for the former Sixers player.

Matisse Thybulle is already one of the best defenders in the NBA. He’s first in steals. Thybulle will in all likelihood be guarding Devin Booker, who has been playing at an All-Star level for several seasons. Thus far this year, Booker is averaging 23.8 points and 5.3 assists, while making 47.1 percent of his 3-pointers. If Thybulle can make the game difficult for Booker, it could help secure a victory for the Sixers.

[Nodack]

https://www.libertyballers.com/2019/11/ ... oel-embiid

[Superbone]

Two Suns players have extra incentive in Saric and Bridges. I hope to see big games from them tonight. Even without Embiid, this team is very tough. They came back from 21 down to beat Portland on a buzzer beater. This is going to be a big early season challenge.

[Nodack]

https://statsalt.com/games/nba/11-4-201 ... tion-9947/
The 76ers are tops in the NBA in rebounding by a wide margin with a +12 rebound advantage.

The 76ers lead the NBA with 11.4 steals per game, including an NBA-best 2.80 steals a night from Matisse Thybull. Philadelphia forced Portland point guard Damian Lillard into seven turnovers. They'll look to cause similar havoc on Devin oBoker.

One area Philadelphia struggles with defensively is defending the 3-point shot. The 76ers allow 37.6% from behind the arc, the seventh-worst in the league.

The Suns have plenty of room to grow on defense, where they allow 106 points per game. Nonetheless, Phoenix should be pleased with its perimeter defense, as it allows the second-fewest 3-pointers in the league (9.2/g). Phoenix scores 19.5% of its points off turnovers, tied for the third-most in the NBA. Small forward Mikal Bridges recorded four steals in 10 minutes Saturday night against Memphis.

[Nodack]

The Suns have had success this season by their uncharacteristically good swarming defense. The 76ers strengths are defense and rebounding. It seems the way we have beat some defensive teams is by playing hard nosed defense back on them and taking them out of their game. Obviously rebounding is going to be a major issue. The 76ers miss shots but they get the rebound most times. I think rebounding the ball is going to be of paramount importance. Going to have to try to get them in foul trouble too. Shying away from contact is a recipe for failure. Make them call the foul by leaving no doubt. They will sick their rookie Matisse Thybull on Booker. Booker would be smart to get him in foul trouble if possible.

I am excited about this game. If playing the #1 team and the only undefeated team doesn’t motivate you, nothing will.

[Democritus]

Make them shoot ton of threes...

[Cap]

Make them shoot a ton of zeroes.