The Sixers (18-29) open a four-game road trip against the Dallas Mavericks (18-30) at American Airlines Center (8:30 p.m./CSN, CSNPhilly.com and the NBC Sports app).
Let's take a closer look at the matchup:
1. Taking their act on the road
The Sixers just finished their best month in years as they closed out January with 10 wins. Now they will try to take that success on the road, minus their biggest piece of the puzzle.
Joel Embiid will stay in Philadelphia and miss at least the next two games while he continues to deal with a left knee contusion.
Embiid's absence would have sealed the Sixers' fate earlier in the season, but the team has learned how to win without the rookie sensation. The Sixers have notched victories in three of the last four games in which Embiid hasn't played to improve to 5-11 on the season when he sits out.
2. The other Curry
It has to be difficult being the third wheel in a basketball-rich family, but Seth Curry is starting to make a name for himself.
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Curry went undrafted out of Duke in 2013 and has bounced around between the D-League and several NBA teams. However, his improved play of late may have secured him a long-term home with the Mavs.
Curry scored in double figures in 11 of 14 games during January, including the last eight. His game particularly took a jump over the past two contests when Dallas beat title contenders San Antonio and Cleveland. The guard posted a double-double of 24 points and 10 rebounds against the Spurs and dropped 16 points vs. the Cavs.
For the season, Curry is averaging 11.3 points, 2.6 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game. He's also shooting 46.1 percent from the field and 42.0 percent from three-point range -- the last number being higher than superstar brother Stephen Curry's mark for the 2016-17 season (41.0) and dad Dell Curry's average for his 16-year career (40.2).
3. It's a three-for-all
Since we're on the topic of long-range shooting, expect to see plenty of three-pointers hoisted up on Wednesday night.
The Mavs rank sixth in the NBA in threes attempted per game with 30.3. The Sixers are right on their heels at seventh with 29.7 attempts per night.
That's despite both teams being middle of the pack in production from long distance. The Sixers are 17th in percentage of three-pointers made at 35.6 while the Mavs are 20th at 35.4.
4. Injuries
Embiid (knee) is officially listed as doubtful but did not travel with the team. Ben Simmons (foot) and Jerryd Bayless (wrist) are out for the Sixers.
Andrew Bogut (hamstring) and Deron Williams (toe) are game-time decisions. J.J. Barea (calf) is out for the Mavs.
5. This and that
• The Sixers have lost seven straight to the Mavs.
• T.J. McConnell has posted double-digit assists in five of the last six games.
• Dirk Nowitzki isn't the player he once was, but the future Hall of Famer has averaged 22.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 30 career games against the Sixers.
