Venue Location
Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This 20,000+ seat venue has been the 76ers’ home since 1996 and features a passionate fanbase. Philadelphia holds a 9-8 home record this season, making it a tough spot for visitors.
Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. local time). The game will be broadcast exclusively on Peacock.
Recent Team Forms
The 76ers are surging with health and momentum, while the Nuggets are reeling from injuries and a tough road trip.
Denver Nuggets (Last 10 Games: 5-5): Denver has struggled lately, dropping two straight and six of their last nine amid key injuries. Their defense ranks top-10, but offense dips without stars. Key recent results:
L 115-127 @ BKN (Jan 4): Poor shooting (48.2% FG) and rebounding.
L 108-113 @ CLE (Jan 2): Close loss despite balanced effort.
W 106-103 @ TOR (Dec 31): Gritty road win, holding Toronto under 105.
Form streak: L-L-W-L-L. ATS: 5-5 in last 10. They’ve gone under in 7 of last 10.
Philadelphia 76ers (Last 10 Games: 7-3): Philly is on a three-game win streak, winners of seven of their last nine, with improved health boosting their offense (top-5 efficiency). Key recent results:
W 130-119 @ NYK (Jan 3): Efficient shooting (54.4% FG) and strong rebounding.
W 123-108 @ DAL (Jan 1): Dominant road win, holding Dallas to 108.
W 139-136 @ MEM (Dec 30): High-scoring OT thriller.
Form streak: W-W-W-L-L. ATS: 8-2 in last 10. They’ve gone over in 6 of last 10.
Injury Report
Injuries decimate Denver’s lineup, while Philly manages minor issues.
Denver Nuggets:
OUT: Nikola Jokic (left knee hyperextension) – Out at least four weeks; MVP candidate averaging 28.5 PPG, 12.3 REB, 9.1 AST.
OUT: Cameron Johnson (right knee contusion) – Re-evaluated in 4-6 weeks; 18.2 PPG.
OUT: Jonas Valanciunas (right calf strain) – Out four weeks; 14.1 PPG, 9.4 REB.
OUT: Tamar Bates (foot) – Depth loss.
AVAILABLE: Aaron Gordon (hamstring), Christian Braun (ankle) – Recently returned.
Probable: Jamal Murray (ankle).
Philadelphia 76ers:
PROBABLE: Joel Embiid (left knee/right ankle) – Injury management; 28.7 PPG in recent games.
OUT: Kelly Oubre Jr. (left knee sprain) – Expected out until Jan 7; 15.6 PPG.
OUT: Trendon Watford (left adductor strain) – Out until at least Jan 7; bench contributor.
DOUBTFUL: MarJon Beauchamp, Johni Broome (G League).
Player Matchups
Without Jokic, Denver lacks size against Embiid, creating mismatches favoring Philly’s stars.
Jamal Murray (DEN) vs. Tyrese Maxey (PHI): Murray (22.4 PPG, 6.8 AST) leads Denver’s offense but faces Maxey (26.1 PPG, 5.4 AST), an explosive scorer. Edge: Maxey; his speed could exploit Murray’s ankle issue for 30+ points.
Aaron Gordon (DEN) vs. Paul George (PHI): Gordon (16.8 PPG, 7.2 REB) returns with athleticism, guarding George (21.3 PPG, 41.9% 3PT recently). Edge: George; his shooting stretches Denver’s thin frontcourt.
DaRon Holmes (DEN) vs. Joel Embiid (PHI): Rookie Holmes steps up at center, but Embiid (probable, 24.7 PPG, 11.2 REB) dominates inside. Edge: Embiid; expect a double-double if he plays full minutes.
Other Key Watches: Peyton Watson (DEN) vs. VJ Edgecombe (PHI)—defensive wings clash. Christian Braun (DEN) could provide energy off the bench vs. Philly’s guards.
Series History
All-time regular-season series: 76ers lead 54-46 over 100 games. Denver has won the last three meetings, including blowouts. Key recent games:
Jan 31, 2025: DEN 137-134 @ PHI (high-scoring thriller).
Jan 21, 2025: DEN 144-109 vs. PHI (Nuggets dominated).
Jan 27, 2024: DEN 111-105 vs. PHI.
Average margin in last 5: Nuggets by 12.4 points. Denver is 4-1 ATS in this stretch, with 3 overs.
Betting Trends
Spread: Philly is 20-12-1 ATS overall (8-2 last 10), 10-7 ATS at home. Nuggets are 20-15 ATS (5-5 last 10), but 3-7 ATS as underdogs of 10+ points.
Over/Under: Philly games hit over 51.5% (17-16); Nuggets 45.7% (16-19). Last 5 head-to-head: 3-2 to over, averaging 238.6 points. Recent trends: 76ers 6-4 over last 10; Nuggets 3-7 over.
ATS Trends: 76ers 7-3 ATS as double-digit favorites; Nuggets 4-6 ATS on road.
Game Odds
Denver Nuggets 230.5
Philadelphia Sixers – 11.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, January 4, 2026
