The Philadelphia 76ers, owners of the best home record in the NBA, are welcoming a formidable foe as Kawhi Leonard and his LA Clippers are paying a visit.

HOME TEAM: Philadelphia 76ers (33-21, 24-2 at home)

The Sixers have now won back-to-back games after dropping four straight last week. They have also racked up 10 consecutive victories at home, nine of which were by 11 or more points.

As always, All-Stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, along with inside-out threat Tobias Harris, are front-lining the charge. Embiid is in a bit of a funk since returning to injury as he is only tallying 20.3 points on 43.6%-shooting in his last seven games. He’s also in a tough match-up tomorrow against the stingy Clippers defense, where he’ll be banging bodies with Montrezl Harrell, among others.

Simmons slowed down from his productive run in mid-January, but he appears to be picking up steam again. The Aussie has 20.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 10.5 assists on 55.6%-shooting in the Sixers’ last two games.

Finally, Harris (19.1 PPG), a former Clipper, could be on the lookout for a revenge game. It’s easier said than done considering Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are on the opposite side but he certainly has the tools to do so.

ROAD TEAM: LA Clippers (37-16, 15-11 on the road)

The Clippers are on a path to redemption following an embarrassing 27-point blowout loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves over the weekend, who came in holding a 13-game losing streak. They annihilated the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday even without Leonard, 133-92, as the team collectively shot 57% from the floor.

Kawhi’s absence was just for load management and he’ll be back tomorrow. He’s averaging all-around numbers on the season – 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.9 steals, and 2.1 threes per game – and we should continue seeing the versatility. His partner in crime, Paul George, is also looking good as he’s at 21.2 PPG with a shooting clip of 50%/44.1%/93.8%.

The supporting cast, which already features Lou Williams (19.3 PPG), Montrezl Harrell (18.9 PPG), and the rising Landry Shamet (13.4 PPG in his last 13), got an upgrade at the trade deadline in Marcus Morris, who came on board as the New York Knicks’ leading scorer this season.

PREDICTION:

The Clippers always rise up to big challenges, and I expect them to be one of the few teams to dent the Sixers’ home record. They win through Kawhi and PG’s barrage, and a defense that will frustrate Embiid, 115-106.