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Sixers at Wolves
7:00 pm CST
FS North
The Battle of the Beatens?
The Thrilla for Jahill-a? (Key)
Choke for Okafor?
The Stumbla in the Tundra?
What do we call this epic battle of terrible teams? It's an interconference clash of...what's the opposite of Titans? Minnows?
The Sixers come in at a pristine 0-17, and are within one loss of matching the record for the longest losing streak to start an NBA season. And it's on merit. They are terrible--the worst offense in the league backed by a decidedly below average defense. The Wolves have the opposite problem--a bad offense backed by a horrendous defense that gives up layups and threes like there is a rule against guarding them.
At least the Sixers awfulness is by design. Once again, they entered the season with no intention of winning basketball games. It's a plan. I'm not sure it's going to work, and I can't say it's a route I like, but it's a plan. Meanwhile, they have been getting closer. They have been within 10 points in each of their last five games. Might it all come together tonight?
The Wolves, on the other hand, are this bad due to an unfortunate rash of injuries, some dubious personnel decisions by the team president, and some questionable tactical choices by the head coach. It's a good thing those two guys can hold each other accountable...oh wait.
Expected lineups
Sixers
Michael Carter-Williams
Hollis Thompson
Luc Mbah a Moute
Brandon Davies
Henry Sims
Wolves
Mo Williams
Corey Brewer
Andrew Wiggins
Thaddeus Young
Gorgui Dieng
Sadly, Alexey Shved is out for the Sixers tonight, meaning no triumphant return to the site of so much glory. Tony Wroten is also out, and Nerlens Noel is "questionable," which I interpret as "not going to play."
Your blogging buddies for the evening are over at Liberty Ballers. Be excellent.
No no and no.
Enjoy the game. Chat here. Go Wolves.