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The Sixers reunited their Big 3 in Tuesday night’s win over the Lakers. Now, though, they’re about to find out what life is like with a Big 5, and I don’t mean they’re catching a Villanova-Penn game at the Palestra.
Thanks to a whopping 11-game winning streak, the Golden State Warriors have propelled themselves back to the top of the Western Conference standings. During the last five games of that surge, the Warriors have had DeMarcus Cousins at their disposal. Coming off an achilles injury that prematurely ended his stint with the Pelicans last year, the four-time All-Star has looked as healthy, and fit in as seamlessly, as head coach Steve Kerr and company could have hoped. Boogie is averaging 15.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in just 21.8 minutes per game.
I mean, honestly, the Warriors already won three of the past four championships, and now they have a 6-foot-11 big man capable of leading the break and dropping dimes...
Point guard Boogie Cousins with the backdoor pocket pass to Steph. pic.twitter.com/JQy6ydDvKX
— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) January 29, 2019
While also throwing his weight around on the offensive glass on those rare Steph Curry misses.
Interesting seeing a Curry/Cousins PnR early. Cousins able to roll right in to get on the offensive glass #NBACast https://t.co/MZJKpQsTvg pic.twitter.com/PvQJrCv5ms
— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) January 27, 2019
Plus, the Warriors have the Splash Brothers, the reigning two-time NBA Finals MVP, and a former Defensive Player of the Year. And that’s just their starting lineup! If the Warriors were the Fast and the Furious franchise, adding Kevin Durant was like getting the Rock, and now, Cousins is Jason Statham. Just A-list heavy hitters wherever you look.
Golden State is really good, that’s what I’m getting at here. But you know that already. Needless to say, the Sixers have their work cut out for themselves tonight. Philadelphia lost both meetings to Golden State last season, including a 21-point defeat in the Warriors’ house. Hopefully, Joel Embiid’s back isn’t cranky, Ben Simmons gets back to his hyper-efficient ways around the basket, and Brett Brown strikes the right balance with Point Jimmy.
Strap in to watch basketball greatness, folks, and cross your fingers it comes from both sidelines.
Game Info
Who: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Golden State Warriors
When: 10:30 pm EST
Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA
Watch: TNT, NBC Sports Philadelphia
Listen: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @Liberty_Ballers