Sixers vs. Bucks
7 p.m. on CSN/CSNPhilly.com/NBC Sports app
The Sixers continue their limp to the finish line when they host the playoff-bound Milwaukee Bucks Saturday night (7 p.m./CSN/CSNPhilly.com/NBC Sports App). Let's take a closer look at the matchup:
1. Banged-up rooks
The frontrunner for the league's Rookie of the Year, Dario Saric has used a strong second half to catapult himself to the top of this year's class. Since being inserted into the starting lineup after the All-Star break, Saric has averaged 17.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
The Croatian forward will likely be limited for the rest of the season while he battles plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Saric, who turns 23 today, has played in all 79 games this season.
Joel Embiid appeared to be the runaway winner for the Rookie of the Year award before he was shut down for the season.
The only player resembling competition was Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon. Brogdon has played well, averaging 10.3 points and 4.3 assists while shooting 40 percent from three.
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The biggest factor helping Brogdon's candidacy is his contributions to a team with the sixth-best record in the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately for Brogdon, he's also battling an injury. He's missed the last four games with a sore back and is doubtful for tonight's matchup.
2. Freaky good
The biggest reason for Milwaukee's success this season has been the continued progress of All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek Freak has been outstanding this season. The 22 year old leads the Bucks in points (23.1), rebounds (8.7), assists (5.4), steals (1.7) and blocks (1.9) in a team-leading 35.5 minutes per game.
Antetokounmpo has also been durable. He's played in 78 of the Bucks' 79 games this season. Tony Snell and Greg Monroe are the only other Bucks to play that many games this season.
The Sixers have done a decent job against Antetokkounmpo, holding him below his season average at 21.3 points game in three matchups. Unfortunately, Robert Covington, who was the primary defender of the Greek Freak in those games, is out for the season with a torn meniscus.
3. Hey, thanks, Lakers
The Lakers' inexplicable winning streak is now at three games after a win against the Kings Friday night. What a perfect outcome for the Sixers, who hold a top-three protected pick from the Lakers and the rights to swap picks with the Kings.
As of Saturday afternoon, the Sixers have the fourth-best chance at the No. 1 pick (10.4 percent), according to tankathon.com. The Lakers now have the third-best chance, as their odds dropped to 15.6 percent. The Lakers still have a 46.9 percent chance to land in the top three, but with each win, that percentage goes down.
The Sixers currently have a 33.7 chance to land in the top three with their own pick. The Kings pick adds another 12.7 percent chance to that, save for the very unlikely scenario that both teams land in the top three. What a time to be alive.
4. Injuries
Joel Embiid (knee), Ben Simmons (foot), Jahlil Okafor (knee), Robert Covington (knee), Jerryd Bayless (wrist) and Sergio Rodriguez (hamstring) are out for the season.
Bucks swingman Jabari Parker (knee) is out for the season. Big man John Henson (thumb) is out tonight. Brogdon (back) is doubtful.
5. This and that
* Over his last six games, rookie Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot has averaged 16.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals in 36 minutes a game.
* Another note on TLC: he's shooting 84.7 from the free throw line this season. Generally players that shoot well from the line have a chance to develop into solid shooters from the floor.
* The Sixers have won two out of three games against the Bucks this season. Oddly enough, both teams have averaged 108.3 points per game in those matchups.
