Still looking for their first home win of the campaign, the Philadelphia 76ers will do battle against the Memphis Grizzlies in Sunday's meeting at the Wells Fargo Center.
Both teams head into this one off the back of contrasting results, as the 76ers suffered a shock defeat to the Detroit Pistons, while the Grizzlies upset the odds to down the Milwaukee Bucks.
Match preview
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After finally picking up their first win of the campaign against the Indiana Pacers four days earlier, the 76ers were heavily fancied to make it back-to-back victories when they locked horns against the Pistons.
Having come away with a four-point advantage at the end of the first quarter, Nick Nurse's men looked set to cruise to a comfortable win before being outscored 63-41 over the next two quarters and eventually falling to a 105-95 defeat.
Following his season-high 45 points against the Pacers, Tyrese Maxey continued to drive the offence, tallying 32 points last time out, although he only managed to knock down two of his 10 three-point shot attempts.
Maxey's rough shooting night from behind the arc was in keeping with the rest of his teammates as the 76ers went eight of 28 from distance, leaving them bottom but one in terms of three-point shooting percentage and bottom for successful three-pointers in the entire NBA.
A 1-3 record after four matches is not what the 76ers faithful would have anticipated at the start of the campaign, but with Joel Embiid and Paul George still to return, a change in fortunes could very well be on the horizon.
The 76ers will now seek to get back to winning ways in front of their fans against an opposing side who currently boast three wins from the last four meetings between the teams, including an 87-85 triumph in July's Summer League encounter.
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Off the back of consecutive defeats against the Chicago Bulls and the Brooklyn Nets, the Memphis Grizzlies welcomed the Milwaukee Bucks to the FedExForum on Friday aiming to avoid a third straight loss.
Despite being without Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart, Taylor Jenkins's men stormed to a 22-point lead at half time and held on to secure a third straight victory against the Bucks after coming out on top in both of last season's meetings.
The Grizzlies largely had star man Ja Morant to thank for their victory last time out as he notched 26 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists in his 29 minutes on the court to record a 12th career triple-double.
Currently the only team to have played six games already, the Grizzlies have recorded three triumphs and as many defeats so far ahead of their journey to the Wells Fargo Center this weekend to tackle the 76ers.
An opportunity to pick up back-to-back wins awaits Sunday's visitors in the first of two straight matches on the road before they head to the Barclays Center just over 48 hours later to renew hostilities with the Nets.
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Team News
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Paul George and Joel Embiid are both expected to miss Sunday's game through respective knee injuries, with the latter still without a definite timetable for his return to action.
Continuing to deputise for Embiid in the starting five, 76ers center Andre Drummond has racked up the third-most rebounds per game this term, only behind Ivica Zubac and Jakob Poltl.
Marcus Smart missed his side's win over the Bucks last time out through an ankle problem and remains a major doubt for Sunday's clash alongside Luke Kennard (foot).
Desmond Bane (oblique) and Vince Williams Jr (tibia) are also set to be unavailable for the Grizzlies here, while John Konchar (quadriceps) could be set to sit out a second straight game.
Philadelphia 76ers possible starting five:
Lowry, Maxey; Oubre, Martin; Drummond
Memphis Grizzlies possible starting five:
Morant, Wells; Aldama, Jackson Jr.; Edey
We say: 76ers to win by 6+ points
Due to the continued absence of Embiid and George, the 76ers are yet to click in offence, and the Grizzlies will have every reason to believe they can emerge victorious on Sunday.
Nonetheless, we fancy the hosts to put their horror show against the Pistons behind them and get back to winning ways on home court.
Adepoju Marvellous
