NBA Preview: San Antonio Spurs (15-13) vs Philadelphia Sixers (9-17)

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NBA fans will get an early Christmas present when Victor Wembanyama and the surging San Antonio Spurs head to Philadelphia to face Joel Embiid, Paul George, and the 76ers on Monday.

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San Antonio Spurs:

  • The Spurs have won two straight games and four of their past five, including a 114-94 victory at home over Portland on Saturday.
  • Victor Wembanyama racked up a 30-point, 10-block double-double in the win, becoming the first player since 2008 to achieve that feat and the sixth overall. He was 10 of 11 from the free-throw line, tying his season high for made shots from the charity stripe.
  • Charles Bassey tied a career high with 16 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in the victory. San Antonio has won all four games in which it has held opponents below 100 points.
  • Monday’s game marks the first of a four-game road trip for the Spurs, who are 4-6 away from home this season. The Spurs will play 11 of their next 15 games on the road.

Philadelphia 76ers:

  • The 76ers head home after losing 126-99 at Cleveland on Saturday in the second game of a home-road back-to-back.
  • Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 27 points in a game where the 76ers trailed by 11 at halftime and by 23 heading into the final period.
  • The loss snapped Philadelphia’s two-game winning streak. Six of the 76ers’ nine wins this season have come since Nov. 30, as Embiid and George have begun to play together more.
  • Embiid was held out of Saturday’s game due to the back-to-back, but George played and scored 11 points in his first availability in a back-to-back this year.
  • Embiid, recovering from a broken sinus cavity, is expected to start on Monday despite missing the game against Cleveland.
  • The last time Embiid played against Wembanyama and the Spurs—last season on Jan. 22—he scored a career-high 70 points.

The Spurs will aim to continue their winning streak and strong defensive performances, while the 76ers look to bounce back from their recent loss with Embiid likely returning to the lineup. Fans can expect an exciting matchup as both teams bring their star power to the court.