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The Philadelphia 76ers, who are looking for their third straight 2020-21 NBA season victory, travel to the Moda Center on Thursday to take on the Portland Trail Blazers. The Sixers are currently 1st in the NBA Eastern Conference with an 18-7 record and look set to mount a serious title charge this time around.
The Portland Trail Blazers, on the other hand, have been unlucky with injuries and are without multiple stars as they come up against a Sixers side that has seen several key players miss games themselves.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Portland Trailblazers Prediction: Combined starting 5
The likes of CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic are long-term absentees for the Portland Trail Blazers while Nassir Little and Zach Collins are both nearing returns. The Philadelphia 76ers have had better luck with injuries of late and have consolidated their position at the top of the NBA Eastern Conference.
In this article, we look at the hypothetical best combined 5 from the two teams ahead of their NBA matchup.
Point Guard – Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers)
Ben Simmons has been solid in the 2020-21 NBA season so far and will be looking to improve his numbers as the season progresses. He is currently producing 13.5 points and 8 assists per game and has been vital defensively for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Currently averaging 1.7 blocks and .8 steals per game, Ben Simmons will be looking to help his team overcome their recent postseason failures. The Philadelphia 76ers’ guard brings a unique set of skills to the Sixers lineup but has been called out for his unwillingness to shoot from deep.
Shooting Guard – Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers)
As one would expect, Damian Lillard is crucial to the Portland Trail Blazers’ offense and has been putting up terrific numbers in the season so far. Lillard is currently averaging 29.4 points and 7.1 assists and will be expected to deliver once again against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Portland Trail Blazers are missing multiple players and will need Lillard to be at his lethal best if they are to pull off an upset. He has delivered in multiple crucial games so far and has the ability to take the fight to any team, on his day.
Forward – Tobias Harris (Philadelphia 76ers)
The emergence of Tobias Harris as the Philadelphia 76ers’ third-best player has made them a force to be reckoned with in the 2020-21 NBA. Harris has been lethal, shooting at over 40% from three-point range and averaging more than 20 points per game.
The Philadelphia 76ers have turned him into a potent offensive weapon and Tobias Harris has responded by playing some of the best basketball of his career. His experience has proved useful for a young team as the Sixers have looked solid on both ends of the court.
Forward – Gary Trent Jr. (Portland Trail Blazers)
Gary Trent Jr. looks to be on a consistent upward trajectory for the Portland Trail Blazers and has had to take up offensive responsibility in the absence of some key players. He is currently averaging 14 points per game, and has been important on defense as well.
His 3-point shooting has been on point, although there is still plenty of room for improvement to other aspects of his game. Regardless, the Portland Trail Blazers view Gary Trent Jr. as a long-term prospect on both ends of the floor.
Center – Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)
Joel Embiid is producing bonafide MVP-calibre numbers and has been dominant for the Philadelphia 76ers so far. Embiid’s shooting has been phenomenal, and he is averaging 29.2 points and 11 rebounds per game so far.
The Portland Trail Blazers have the tools to take the fight to a strong Philadelphia 76ers side that appear to have shaken off their injury concerns. However, Joel Embiid is capable of deciding the match single-handedly, and the result will depend on whether the Blazers can contain him.
Guess the Lakers players!
