The streaking Utah Jazz host the Philadelphia 76ers, who will look to prevent a three-game losing skid. Will the Sixers snap out of their slump and at the same time break Utah’s undefeated run? Or, will the Sixers be just another prey for the Jazz?

Catch this game live on Tuesday, February 16, at 10 AM, Manila time

HOME TEAM: Utah Jazz (22-5, 12-2 at home)

Projected Starting Five

  • SG: Donovan Mitchell
  • SF:  Joe Ingles
  • SF: Bojan Bogdanovic
  • PF: Royce O’Neal
  • C: Rudy Gobert

At this point, no one should be sleeping on Utah. The Jazz stretched their unbeaten streak to seven games after taking care of business on Sunday in their 112-94 home win over the Miami Heat. 

The Jazz have lost just a single game in their past 19 outings and have failed to cover the spread just twice over that lengthy span. Utah made only 26.1% (12-46) of their 3-point shots against the Heat but found a way to win with their defense that left Miami shooting just 40.7 FG%. Despite the ugly shooting night from deep, the Jazz are a team that can always turn it on offensively.

They are sixth in the NBA in scoring offense with 115.1 points per game and No. 1 with 16.9 threes per contest on 40.1 3FG%. Stopping Joel Embiid is a top priority for the Jazz this coming Tuesday and Utah is lucky they have one of the best defensive stoppers in the low block in Rudy Gobert, who is averaging 13.4 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game this season.

The Jazz keep on winning even without Mike Conley, who have sat out the last four games due to hamstring tightness. If he misses the Sixers game, the Jazz will adjust accordingly with Jordan Clarkson and Donovan Mitchell seeing increased opportunities on offense.

ROAD TEAM: Philadelphia 76ers (18-9, 7-7 on the road)

Projected Starting Five

  • PG: Ben Simmons
  • SG: Seth Curry
  • SF: Danny Green
  • PF: Tobias Harris
  • C: Joel Embiid

Despite Joel Embiid’s monster effort, the Sixers suffered a 120-111 road loss to the Phoenix Suns last Sunday. The Sixers also lost to the Portland Trail Blazers, 118-114, last Friday. Embiid scored 35 points in both games.

Embiid is certainly going to be a handful for the Jazz, considering the streak the Cameroonian is on. Embiid has now scored at least 25 points in 11 games in a row (and counting), making him just the fourth player in NBA history to accomplish the feat. 

The Sixers have been shooting the ball well the past several games. In fact, they have recorded a 50 FG% in their last six games, thanks in large part to Embiid’s dominance.  Even though Embiid has been a focal point on offense for the Sixers, Philly still manages to rack up a lot of points in transition.

The Sixers are third in the NBA with 15.8 fastbreak points per game (15.8). Embiid’s unstoppable nature usually manifests in the number of shots the team attempts at the foul line. The Sixers are averaging 26.5 free throw attempts per game, the most in the NBA.

The Sixers are 3-2-1 against the spread in their last five games on the road.

PREDICTIONS

Joel Embiid is a lock to produce a lot on offense against Utah, but he’ll not have his usual numbers, with Rudy Gobert patrolling the paint. The Jazz claim another victim and score a 116-110 win over Philly.