76ers at Hornets
The Philadelphia 76ers look to defeat Charlotte for the ninth straight time when they visit the Hornets on Saturday. Two of the victories occurred earlier this season when the 76ers won two home games against Charlotte by a total of three points.
Philadelphia center Joel Embiid has put forth two strong efforts against the Hornets this season while averaging 34.5 points, 16.5 rebounds and three blocks. Embiid had 27 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks during a 105-103 win on Oct. 27 and followed up with a season-best 42 points to go with 18 rebounds and four rejections during a 133-132 overtime win on Nov. 9. Embiid scored 23 points in the 76ers' 113-107 home win over the Utah Jazz on Friday but newcomer Jimmy Butler was the star with 28 points on 12-of-15 shooting to go with seven assists. The Hornets are looking to bounce back from an embarrassing 113-89 loss to the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers as they open a three-game homestand.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Southeast (Charlotte)
ABOUT THE 76ERS (10-7): Butler stood out in his second game with the club since being acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves for a package that included forwards Robert Covington and Dario Saric. He hasn't forgotten his old team - he reportedly feuded with young stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins - and took a not-so-subtle jab in a postgame television interview. "So great to get a win, so much more fun to play with these guys," Butler said. "... Everybody wants to win and when somebody messes up, you talk to them, they don't take it personal and they do their job."
ABOUT THE HORNETS (7-7): Star guard Kemba Walker scored a season-low seven points on horrid 2-of-16 shooting against Cleveland to lower his stellar average to 26.4. "It was one of those nights," Walker told reporters. "I got to all my spots, was able to take all my shots. It was a rough night shooting the basketball." Walker is just 20-of-60 shooting in the two losses to the 76ers but he averaged 33.5 points and 7.5 assists with scoring outputs of 37 and 30 points.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The 76ers have won in their last three visits to Charlotte.
2. Hornets F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (ankle) could sit out his second straight game.
3. Philadelphia SG JJ Redick scored 16 points on Friday and has recorded 15 or more in eight of nine games this month.