Within the last few weeks, the biggest storyline dominating the NBA has been the tense MVP race between Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid.
So naturally, Embiid will not play due to what they are calling a sore right calf.
After a brief lull in mid-March, the Nuggets have turned things around ahead of the final two weeks of the NBA regular season.
They’re looking to keep rolling against the 76ers, who have been dominant in March but could be at less than full strength in this one.
Nuggets vs. 76ers odds
(via BetMGM)
- Nuggets -5.5 (-110), moneyline -225
- 76ers +5.5 (-110), moneyline +180
- O/U 228.5 (-110)
Nuggets vs. 76ers prediction and analysis
With Embiid out, it would appear that Harden is on track to play this evening, as he participated in today’s shootaround.
Embiid practically begged for a day off after Saturday’s 20-point loss to the Suns, which was Philly’s second-worst loss of the entire season.
The star center scored 28 points on 8-of-19 shooting (42.1%), his worst efficiency in over a month, and openly admitted to feeling “sloppy,” which he says is usually a byproduct of needing an off day.
He’s likely due for one after playing 33 of his team’s last 35 games.
Sure enough, Embiid joins Harden on the injury report ahead of Monday’s road game, which is the fourth in six days for the 76ers.
Harden sat out the first three games of this road trip, and he scored a season-worst five points on 2-of-14 shooting (14.3%) in his last start, which marked the start of the Sixers’ current 1-3 run.
Unsurprisingly, the team’s offensive efficiency has taken a hit without its lead playmaker, even as Embiid continues to post MVP-level production.
Speaking of MVP, the two-time reigning winner Jokic appears to have personally taken the recent conversation about this year’s race.
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Since Embiid took over as the MVP favorite in mid-March, Jokic is averaging 27.6 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and 1.4 steals on a ridiculous 66.7% shooting.
Most importantly, he’s led Denver to a 4-1 record with three straight wins entering Monday – including Sunday’s 23-point blowout over MVP contender Giannis Antetokounmpo and the league-leading Bucks (53-21).
Now he’ll take aim at Embiid – assuming he even plays – and a potentially weakened supporting cast for Philly.
The Nuggets have covered eight of their last 11 games at home and should be able to clear the number in a favorable spot here.
