76ers at Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are starting to make headway in their quest for a Western Conference playoff spot and look to keep it going when they host the struggling Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night. The Nuggets knocked off the Los Angeles Clippers and Minnesota by a combined six points to win the last two games and have won five of seven to climb into a tie for eighth in the West.
Denver is averaging 113.9 points over the last seven games and boasts six players averaging double figures in scoring — including power forward Nikola Jokic (12.0), who owns six double-doubles in his past 11 contests. The Nuggets knocked off the 76ers 106-98 in Philadelphia on Dec. 5 for their third straight in the series as leading scorer Danilo Gallinari (16.9) paced the team with 24 points. The 76ers were limited to nine points in the fourth quarter Thursday as they coughed up a lead and fell 100-83 at Utah for their fourth straight loss. Philadelphia’s leading scorer Joel Embiid (18.7) should be back in the lineup Friday after being rested against the Jazz.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, TCN Philadelphia, Altitude (Denver)
ABOUT THE 76ERS (7-24): Embiid’s absence gave Nerlens Noel more playing time and the former first-round pick scored a season-high 14 points in his sixth game of the campaign after returning from a knee injury. Forward Ersan Ilyasova led the way for Philadelphia with 16 points in Thursday’s loss and Dario Saric matched Noel with 14. Point guard Sergio Rodriguez suffered a sprained ankle during the Utah game and is expected to miss Friday while guard Gerald Henderson (hip) and forward Richaun Holmes (concussion) are questionable.
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (14-18): Jokic was two rebounds short of a triple-double in the win over Minnesota after recording a career-high 11 assists. “I just know I would love to play with him,” Denver coach Michael Malone told reporters of the 6-10 Jokic. “If I cut, he will find you. And there’s a good chance when he finds you, you’re going to have a layup.” Forward Wilson Chandler (16.4 points, seven rebounds) is second on the team in scoring and guard Will Barton (14.2), who scored 22 against Philadelphia earlier this month, is next.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Denver’s rookie G Jamal Murray registered 22 points in the win over Philadelphia, but has not scored in double figures his last seven contests.
2. Philadelphia F-C Jahlil Okafor scored 13 points Thursday after averaging 6.5 over his previous four outings.
3. Nuggets G Gary Harris is averaging 14.3 points and shooting 51.4 percent from the field in the last seven games since returning from injury.