The Philadelphia 76ers will play the last game of their homestand on Sunday night against the Grizzlies, looking to settle the series after an overtime loss in Memphis a few weeks ago.
In their first matchup, the Sixers were without two of their starters in Dario Saric and Robert Covington, as news of the Jimmy Butler trade broke just hours before.
Here are three storylines to watch.
Grizzlies defense
The Memphis Grizzlies are holding opponents to just 103.1 points per game, the third-best mark in the NBA… On top of that, their 104.9 defensive rating is 5th best in the NBA and their opponent turnover percentage (forcing opponents into a turnover on 17.0 percent of possessions) is second-best. Taking care of the ball is going to be another huge focus for the Sixers again tonight (Memphis forces 9 steals per game on average). In their last matchup, Memphis recorded 25 points off 23 Sixers turnovers, including six turnovers combined in the fourth and overtime.
Defensive headband brothers?
If you thought Jimmy Butler and Ben Simmons wearing matching white headbands was a simple fashion statement, think again. On Friday night, Butler and Simmons took the floor as defensive brothers, in the words of Brett Brown. Brown also said he asked Butler to take Simmons under his wing defensively and Simmons had one of his better defensive nights against the Wizards. Will the defensive brothers be back?
Philadelphia 76ers
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Maintaining/Extending Leads
The 76ers haven't had any trouble getting off to good starts this season, averaging a league-best 30.3 points per first quarter this season or even in creating big leads. The trouble has usually come in maintaining and extending their leads, which they did a much better job of in their past two games (wins against New York and Washington). Back in Memphis a few weeks ago, the Grizzlies came back from a 16-point first half deficit to force overtime and win the game. Will the Sixers continue to show progress in closing games out tonight?
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