NBA game of the week: Nuggets vs. 76ers

On Saturday, two goliaths will collide when reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers visit reigning NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. This contest will mark the latest chapter in the seemingly never-ending debate between which of them is the league’s best center.

The last time they faced each other was on Jan. 16, when the Sixers came out on top, 126-121. Last season, Philadelphia also defeated Denver at home, but fell on the road when Embiid was inactive.

While Embiid drew criticism for missing that contest, this season he’s rarely missed key matchups. Though he has still missed ten games, he’s made up for those absences by competing whenever he is healthy.

Embiid recently suited up for all four games during a pair of back-to-backs—and Philadelphia won all four of those contests. He followed that up by pouring in a franchise-record 70 points against the Spurs last Monday in yet another “W” for he and his teammates.

Now averaging a league-best 36 points per game, Embiid and the 76ers saw their win streak snapped during a 134-122 loss to the Pacers on Thursday.

Similarly, the Nuggets are also coming off a tough Thursday loss, having been blown out by the surging Knicks, 122-84. Yet, at 31-15, the reigning champions are still a force to be reckoned with.

Having returned all five of their starters, the Nuggets have thrived off continuity. Their efficient offense continues to center around Jokic’s creation ability, while Jamal Murray remains a dangerous scoring threat in his own right.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia has retooled its franchise substantially, as new coach Nick Nurse both unlocked the best parts of Embiid and Tyrese Maxey’s game, while also getting the most out of several role players some may have counted out.

With the Sixers holding the league’s third-best net rating, it’s clear how balanced they are on the court. With both teams playing so well, this game could come down to the health of both sides.

Currently, rookie reserve Julian Strawther is the only regular rotation piece Denver is missing.

Conversely, Philadelphia continues to be without two key defenders in starting guard De’Anthony Melton and fan favorite wing Robert Covington. On top of this, Tobias Harris and Marcus Morris both missed the recent game versus Indiana, due to illness and a foot injury respectively.

If Morris and especially Harris can’t go in the Mile-High City, Nurse’s crew will be awfully thin at forward. This could allow Jokic to effectively connect with Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon on smart cuts or catch-and-shoot threes throughout the game.

Philadelphia can certainly win this game, but it may need Embiid and Maxey to substantially carry the load. Against a great team like Denver, that strategy isn’t guaranteed to work.

Joe Tuman is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email joentuman@gmail.com.