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After the Kevin Durant drama in the loss to the Toronto Raptors, the Brooklyn Nets will play the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center in the 2020-21 NBA.
This matchup was going to be an enticing one if both teams were at full strength. However, Durant's issues with the NBA's health and safety protocols have changed the complexion of this duel between two of the East's elite teams.
The Philadelphia 76ers currently sit at the top of the NBA Eastern Conference, with a 16-7 record. They are, however, coming off a 117-123 defeat against the Toronto Raptors.
The game against the Raptors was all about Kevin Durant. He was removed from the Philadelphia 76ers' starting lineup and was set to miss the game. But he cleared the league's health and safety protocol before returning in the late stages of the first quarter.
However, he was again removed from the game in the third quarter, which prompted a fiery response from him on social media.
As per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the rest of the Brooklyn Nets' team has been cleared to travel to play against Doc Rivers' Philadelphia 76ers.
In the game against Toronto, the Nets' offense was spread out, as seven players scored over 10 points. Though they had good percentages from the field, 3P line and free-throw line, turnovers hurt the Brooklyn Nets (the Nets had 18 compared to the Raptors' 10).
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers lost 105-121 to the Portland Trail Blazers despite Joel Embiid scoring 37 points.
Ben Simmons, who did not play (because of a calf injury), is likely to feature against the Brooklyn Nets. MVP candidate and the Philadelphia 76ers' star center, Joel Embiid, is also questionable due to a knee concern.
Brooklyn Nets vs Philadelphia 76ers Prediction: Combined starting 5
In their January 7th match this season, the Brooklyn Nets won without their big three. James Harden was a Houston Rockets player, while Durant and Irving did not play that game.
Nevertheless, there isn't any shortage of talent on both sides. On that note, let us have a look at a hypothetical combined lineup of players of the Brooklyn Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Guard - James Harden (Brooklyn Nets)
James Harden has played only ten games with the Brooklyn Nets since being traded from the Houston Rockets; nevertheless, he has flourished at the point guard position.
Harden has taken the distributor's role and has performed well for his star-studded team
The former MVP is averaging 23.4 points, 12 assists and 8.1 rebounds per game this season, playing an average of 40.2 minutes per game.
Guard - Kyrie Irving (Brooklyn Nets)
Kyrie Irving is simply a scoring machine and a crafty player. Despite the drama and the noise surrounding his absence from the team some weeks ago, he has been efficient for Steve Nash's Brooklyn Nets.
Irving is averaging 27.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists for the Nets in the 2020-21 NBA season. Though he is leading the team in field-goal attempts, Irving has been efficient shooting the ball. He has 53/43/94 shooting splits for the season.
Forward - Tobias Harris (Philadelphia 76ers)
Tobias Harris has been the third-best player in the Philadelphia 76ers' roster this season; his consistency has been one of the keys for the team's early success in the 2020-21 NBA campaign.
Harris' experience is also a great asset for Doc Rivers, as the two stars on the team are young and can rely on a veteran like Harris.
In the 2020-21 campaign, Harris might be having his greatest season so far. He is averaging 20 points, seven rebounds and three assists per night while recording a 51/44/86 shooting split for the season in 20 appearances.
Forward - Joe Harris (Brooklyn Nets)
The Brooklyn Nets have an incredible shooter in Joe Harris. He is a 6' 6'' sniper capable of leading the NBA in 3P shooting and possibly breaking records with his efficiency from the deep.
Harris is the fourth option in the Brooklyn Nets' offense, but with so much talent around him, he usually does not get too many looks at the rim.
Nevertheless, he is averaging a career-high 15 points and four rebounds per game this season season and has impressed with his tremendous shooting.
Harris has made 51% of his field goals and 49% of his shots from the three-point line this campaign.
Center - Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)
Despite his knee concerns, Joel Embiid playing against the Brooklyn Nets is a possibility and he would surely dominate the paint if he can go out and perform.
Embiid is one of the strongest candidates for the 2020-21 NBA Most Valuable Player award. Even though it is early days in the campaign, Embiid's impact has been already noticeable.
The Cameroonian center is averaging 29 points and 11 rebounds per game so far.
Moreover, he has an average of 2.7 assists, one block and one steal per night. He is filling the stat sheet and is currently leading the NBA in Player Efficiency Rating with a 31.5 grade.
Also Read: Kevin Durant wants to be freed after being pulled twice from Brooklyn Nets' game against Toronto Raptors.
Guess the Lakers players!
