Philadelphia 76ers vs. Phoenix Suns: High-Stakes NBA Showdown Preview
The Phoenix Suns and Philadelphia 76ers are set for a compelling NBA matchup this Saturday, with both teams looking to bounce back from recent losses. The game promises intense action as playoff positioning hangs in the balance.
Recent Form and Key Performances
The Phoenix Suns secured a 116-110 victory over the Sixers on January 20, but faced a tough 101-97 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Thursday. In that defeat, the Warriors closed with a dominant 22-5 surge, overshadowing Phoenix's strong bench contribution of 58-28 points. Notably, four of the Suns' six double-digit scorers were backups, highlighting their depth.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers also suffered a setback, falling 119-115 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. Star center Joel Embiid delivered an impressive performance, scoring 35 points on 13-of-19 shooting and going a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. Since January 1, Embiid has averaged 29.7 points per game, placing him fourth in NBA scoring behind Anthony Edwards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Luka Doncic.
Game Details and Viewing Information
The Philadelphia 76ers (29-22) will visit the Phoenix Suns (31-21) on Saturday at 9 p.m. ET at PHX Arena. Fans can catch the action on NBCS-PH, AZFamily, and Suns+ for local broadcasts. For online streaming, Fubo and Peacock will provide full coverage of the match.
Expected Starting Lineups
Philadelphia 76ers
- PG: Tyrese Maxey
- SG: VJ Edgecombe
- SF: Kelly Oubre Jr.
- PF: Dominick Barlow
- C: Joel Embiid
Phoenix Suns
- PG: Collin Gillespie
- SG: Jordan Goodwin
- SF: Dillon Brooks
- PF: Royce O'Neale
- C: Mark Williams
Injury Report
Philadelphia 76ers
- Joel Embiid - Day-to-day (Knee)
Phoenix Suns
- Isaiah Livers - Out (Shoulder)
- Grayson Allen - Out (Knee)
- Jalen Green - Out (Hamstring/hip)
- Devin Booker - Out (Ankle)
Game Prediction and Betting Insights
The Sixers are 2-1 through three games of their five-game road trip and have won five of their past six contests. They enter as 2-point underdogs, with the Under (236.5) favored after their loss to the Lakers.
Despite dropping two of their last three games, the Suns hold a 4-2 record in their previous six outings. They are 6-point favorites, with the Under (213.5) paying after their defeat to the Warriors. In that game, Phoenix was outscored 25-7 in the final 10:11 and held scoreless in the last 3:55. The Suns have lost their last two home games after starting 17-8 at PHX Arena this season, though they have yet to lose consecutive home games in a row this year.
This matchup will test both teams' resilience, with injuries and recent form playing crucial roles in the outcome.
