Philadelphia @ Dallas preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 20, 2019 ) Dallas 117, Philadelphia 98

The second game without injured All-Star center Joel Embiid went quite well for the Philadelphia 76ers, and they will try to make it two wins in a row Saturday night when they begin a quick two-game trip with a matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. Embiid, who is averaging a team-high 23.4 points, will be re-evaluated in about two weeks after undergoing surgery on his finger but the 76ers defeated Boston 109-98 on Thursday.

“Next-man-up mentality,” Philadelphia forward Tobias Harris, who had 16 points Thursday and averages 19.4, told reporters after the win. “There is not much thinking to it. This is what we have all been able to do our whole life, play this game, so just be ready to go.” The 76ers will try to avenge a 117-98 rout against the Mavericks at home on Dec. 20 as Embiid poured in 33 points and Dallas star Luka Doncic did not play, but the 20-year star is back in the lineup for this one after averaging 32 in five games this month. Doncic’s 25 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists were not enough Friday as the Mavericks dropped a 129-114 decision against the red-hot Los Angeles Lakers for their fifth defeat in seven contests. Dallas has lost four of six since forward Kristaps Porzingis went down with a sore knee and the former fourth-overall draft pick will miss Saturday’s game, but could return as early as next week.

TIME: 8:30 p.m. ET. TV: NBATV, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Southwest

ABOUT THE 76ERS (25-14): Al Horford moved to center and Mike Scott was inserted into the starting lineup in place of Embiid against the Celtics while point guard Ben Simmons played some minutes at center. “I’ve always been curious of what that could look like,” coach Brett Brown told reporters of Simmons in the pivot. “I thought he was good. I don’t know what the numbers bear out but it’s something we tried. I have wanted to try Ben at five and we did, and I suspect we’ll see it again.” Guard Jason Richardson led the way with 29 points Thursday and has recorded at least 20 in three of the past four contests.

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (23-15): Dallas allowed the Lakers to shoot 52.8 percent from the field on Friday and trailed by 18 after one quarter before scoring at least 28 in the final three to give itself a chance. Shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr., who poured in 27 points in the win at Philadelphia last month, had 22 in Friday’s loss while guard Seth Curry scored 16 off the bench and is averaging 14.2 on 52.8 percent from the field this month. Dorian Finney-Smith is averaging 11.5 points the past four contests after scoring 13 in Friday’s loss and fellow forward Dwight Powell was held to seven after producing 14.3 per game over the previous three.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Doncic leads the league with 11 triple-doubles, including three in five games this month.

2. Philadelphia F Matisse Thybulle (knee) returned from a seven-game absence Thursday and had five rebounds in 19 minutes.

3. Dallas PG Jalen Brunson is just 7-for-23 from the field - 1-for-8 from 3-point range - this month.

PREDICTION: Mavericks 114, 76ers 103