76ers and Grizzlies Face Off in Interconference Battle
The Philadelphia 76ers take on the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum on Saturday night.

The 76ers (9-4) had recently endured a rare three-game losing streak while dealing with a myriad of COVID-19-related absences, but they bounced back to win back-to-back games from the Miami Heat in their two most recent contests. The latest win came by a 125-108 margin Thursday night. Shake Milton paced the 76ers with 31 points, adding seven assists, two rebounds, two steals and one block. Tobias Harris furnished 18 points, four boards, two assists and one steal. Tyrese Maxey poured in 15 points, while Danny Green and Isaiah Joe generated matching 12-point tallies. Ben Simmons managed a 10-point, 12-assist, 10-rebound triple-double that included three steals.

The 76ers are likely to remain without Seth Curry (COVID-19 protocols) on Saturday. Embiid (knee) and Mike Scott (knee) will also remain out, while Simmons (knee) is probable.

The Grizzlies (5-6) saw their Friday game against the Minnesota Timberwolves cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns, but they did topple Minnesota by a 118-107 score in the first game of the two-game set Wednesday night. Jonas Valanciuanas led the way with a 24-point, 16-rebound double-double that also included one assist and two blocks. Grayson Allen poured in 20 points, Brandon Clarke contributed 19 points, nine boards, three assists and three steals. De'Anthony Melton registered 15 points, four assists, one rebound, two steals and one block. Xavier Tillman turned in 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.

The Grizzlies will list Ja Morant (ankle) as questionable to make his return in Saturday's game, while Jaren Jackson (knee) and Jontay Porter (knee) remain out.

Saturday's contest is the only meeting between the teams this season. The 76ers won the only 2019-20 contest with the Grizzlies, 119-107.
Posted on: 1/15/2021 9:26 PM