When the Nuggets take on the 76ers on Monday, they’ll be looking to extend their lead atop the Western Conference. In the last match, the Sixers lost to the Suns, 125-105, while the Nuggets defeated the Bucks, 129-106.
Latest news on Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic and James Harden
After a rough go of it on the road, the 76ers come into this game riding a two-game losing streak. They hope that a victory over the Nuggets will give them their second win in the last five contests and end their losing streak.
On Saturday night, Philadelphia (49-25) lost by 20 points in Phoenix, their third consecutive and second in the last four games. The Sixers are currently in second place in the Atlantic Division, four games back of Milwaukee for first place in the Eastern Conference.
The 76ers have struggled in part because James Harden has missed three games with an Achilles injury. Harden is leading the NBA in scoring and assists this season.
Harden’s status for Monday’s game against the Nuggets is uncertain due to an Achilles injury.
Harden is on the trip and available to play, but Coach Doc Rivers has said that he will prioritize Harden’s health over his playing time against the Nuggets.
If he can’t play in the 76ers’ final road game, De’Anthony Melton will start in his place.
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The red-hot Denver Nuggets have overcome one challenge and now must contend with another.
The Nuggets come into this contest on the strength of a three-game win streak. They’d win their fifth straight game and extend their winning streak to four with a victory over the 76ers.
Denver (50-24) hosted the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night, and on Monday they’ll welcome the Philadelphia 76ers.
In the second half, the Denver Nuggets outscored the Milwaukee Bucks 66-40. Jamal Murray, a major factor in the team’s success in the playoffs, scored 26 points and is heating up at the right time.
Tonight’s game features a matchup between MVP candidates Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic.
Just eight assists separate Jokic from averaging a triple-double for the season. He is coming off a 31-point, 11-assist performance against the Bucks. It appeared that Jokic would win his third straight MVP award.
Even though it would be fantastic if Jokic won MVP, the Nuggets’ main objective is to earn the number one seed in the Western Conference.
With only eight games left, a victory over Philadelphia on Sunday would pull them within three and a half games of Memphis.
Meanwhile, Embiid is averaging an NBA-best 33.3 points per game and had a huge statement performance when these two teams met on January 28 in Philadelphia.
With 47 points and 18 boards, Embiid led Philadelphia to a 126-119 victory.
Embiid may or may not play Monday night against the Nuggets because of tightness in his right calf.
Embiid has been on a hot streak as of late. After a double-double against the Suns on Saturday, his status for Monday’s game is in doubt due to a calf injury.
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76ers injuries:
- Joel Embiid (Calf) – Questionable
- James Harden (Achilles) – Questionable
- Danuel House Jr. (Shoulder) – Questionable
Nuggets injuries:
- Michael Porter Jr. (Heel) – Questionable
- Jack White (Covid-19) – Out
- Collin Gillespie (Lower Leg) – Out
