This should be interesting. Though the Mavericks are struggling, particularly at home, they have previously beaten the visiting Sixers without Luka Doncic.

HOME TEAM: Dallas Mavericks (23-15, 11-10 at home)

The Dallas Mavericks have lost four of their last six games and two-straight at home. On Saturday, they got manhandled by the undermanned Los Angeles Lakers, 129-114.

Tomorrow will be tougher as they are going to run on tired legs while matching up against the big, speedy, and athletic core of the Philadelphia 76ers. Then again, there’s a glimmer confidence since they dominated the Sixers back in December 20th, 117-98, despite Luka Doncic sitting out.

Luka Doncic underwhelmed in his match-up with LeBron James yesterday so he should be much aggressive this Sunday. He’ll continue having a widened responsibility while Kristaps Porzingis (knee) is out. Luka is putting up 29.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game on the season.

Helping out the Slovenian star is Tim Hardaway Jr., who’s averaging over 16 PPG since becoming a starter in late November and had a team-high 27 points the last time the Mavs faced Philly. Seth Curry could provide damage as well. He’s chipping in 14.2 points on 52.6%-shooting over his last five appearances.

ROAD TEAM: Philadelphia 76ers (25-14, 7-12 on the road)

The Sixers head to the game having won back-to-back contests. They will be coming off a 109-98 win over the Boston Celtics, where they played well sans Joel Embiid, who’s out with a dislocated finger. The All-Star big man is still questionable for tomorrow’s game.

Embiid’s likely absence is huge. He was the only consistent Sixer in that previous loss to the Mavs. He led all scorers with 33 points and the next closest Sixer, Ben Simmons, only scored 12. Tobias Harris, the second leading scorer of the team, went just 3-for-11 from the floor for seven points.

The two forwards will have to produce big tomorrow. Simmons is averaging 17.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.7 assists in his last 13 games, while Harris is at 19.4 PPG on the season.

Josh Richardson is someone to watch out for as well as he has reached 20-plus points thrice in his last four outings.

PREDICTION:

The Sixers run the floor on the drained Mavs team. They get the win, 115-105. Look for Harris and Richardson and step in to fill the void left by Embiid.