The Sixers head into tonight’s game against the Brooklyn Nets fresh off a Saturday victory over the Detroit Pistons. If Philly is to continue improving in the win column, they’ll have to accomplish not one but two firsts on the season: a win in the second game of a back-to-back (the Sixers are currently 0-2 in such scenarios) and a win on the road (the Sixers are 0-4 in away games).

Brooklyn sits at 3-6 on the season, and losers of four of their last five games. The Nets have struggled defensively early on; through nine games, they’re allowing 114.2 points per possession. It’s not all bad in Brooklyn though, as Kenny Atkinson’s offense is trending upward. The Nets’ shooters are given immense freedom to pull-up from distance, with three-pointers making up 38.3% of Brooklyn’s total shot attempts. With a team conversion rate north of 40%, watch out for the Nets to bomb away from behind the arc. Guys like Joe Harris (59% from 3PT), Spencer Dinwiddie (42% from 3PT) and D’Angelo Russell (42% from 3PT) can punish the Sixers if left with too much space.

Philly is riding a two-game win streak entering tonight’s contest, thanks in large part to Joel Embiid. Embiid has been carrying the Sixers lately, averaging 37 points per game in the last three games. Robert Covington is making a significant positive impact as well for the Sixers, with hot shooting and stellar defense. Covington is converting threes at a 44.3% clip and producing on the opposite end, averaging 3.8 stocks (steals + blocks) per game.

With Joel Embiid and Co. playing their second game in just over 24 hours, hopefully the Sixers get a little boost thanks to setting the clocks back an hour. Vegas favors the Sixers by four over the Nets. I’m predicting Sixers win, 119-112. What say you?

Game Info

When: 6:00 pm EST

Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia

Radio: 97.5 the Fanatic

Twitter: @Liberty_Ballers

Starters

Sixers

PG: Ben Simmons

SG: Markelle Fultz

SF: Robert Covington

PF: Dario Saric

C: Joel Embiid

Nets

PG: D’Angelo Russell

SG: Joe Harris

SF: Caris LeVert

PF: Jared Dudley

C: Jarrett Allen