San Antonio @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 8, 2017 ) San Antonio 111, Philadelphia 103

The Philadelphia 76ers will likely be without star center Joel Embiid when they attempt to end a stretch of 12 straight setbacks against the visiting San Antonio Spurs. Embiid is doubtful for the contest with a sprained right hand as Philadelphia attempts to defeat the Spurs for the first time in nearly seven years.

Embiid injured the hand in a fall late in Sunday's 123-110 victory over the Phoenix Suns but concern lingers despite X-rays coming back negative. "It was a legitimate scare, a legitimate fall," 76ers coach Brett Brown told reporters after Tuesday's practice. "If you saw the palm of his hand, you'd see the bruising and the swelling and the discoloring. And if it was his non-shooting hand, you might feel more confident." San Antonio's star is rounding into shape quite nicely as Tuesday saw small forward Kawhi Leonard tally a season-best 25 points in his seventh game of the season during a 100-91 road victory over the New York Knicks. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich moved into sole possession of fifth place on the all-time victories list with 1,176, breaking a tie with George Karl.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (San Antonio), NBCS Philadelphia

ABOUT THE SPURS (26-12): Leonard played a season-high 31 minutes against the Knicks as he continues to find his stride after being sidelined with a quadriceps injury but he has no problem admitting he still has plenty of work to do. "I still got a little bit of a ways to go as far as my conditioning, legs and the whole rhythm of the game," Leonard said after Tuesday's victory. "It is a slow process." Power forward LaMarcus Aldridge also stood out with 29 points and he will likely play a big role Wednesday if Leonard is held out or on a minutes' restriction on the second part of the back-to-back.

ABOUT THE 76ERS (17-19): Forward Dario Saric matched his season high with 27 points against the Suns and has produced three straight 20-point outings for the first time in his career. Saric is 25-of-40 from the field during the stretch - including 12-of-18 from 3-point range - and Brown is happy to have the 23-year-old Croatian making an impact. "Whatever it is, let's bottle it up, market it, and we'll all be rich," Brown said. "He's a team favorite, you hear me say that often. With his broken English, and his big heart, there's a fondness we all have for Dario, and a respect that we all have."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The 76ers have lost six straight home meetings against the Spurs with their last victory occurring on Feb. 11, 2011.

2. San Antonio C Pau Gasol is 6-of-18 shooting over the past two games.

3. Philadelphia stated that G Markelle Fultz, the No. 1 overall pick in June's draft, is making progress from the shoulder injury that has sidelined him two-plus months.

PREDICTION: Spurs 111, 76ers 101