The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers vs Atlanta Hawks Preview

By Michael Bronson

Feb 3, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) drives past Philadelphia 76ers guard Nik Stauskas (11) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Atlanta Hawks won 124-86. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) drives past Philadelphia 76ers guard Nik Stauskas (11) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Atlanta Hawks won 124-86. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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At 12:30p.m. the Philadelphia 76ers will host the Atlanta Hawks at the Wells Fargo Center as the underdogs.

The Philadelphia 76ers played the Atlanta Hawks three times during the 2015-16 season. The Hawks beat the Sixers 127-106 in their first game, 126-98 their second game, and 124-86 their third and final game.

According to oddshark.com, the Hawks are expected to beat the Sixers by 6.5 points today. While the Sixers played better than many people expected in their first game this season by losing a close game to the Oklahoma City Thunder 103-97, the Hawks easily beat the Washington Wizards 114-99 in their only game this season. Comparing the two teams’ rosters, the Hawks have the advantage over the Sixers in every position.

Starting center is the one position that the Sixers would normally have an advantage in based on Joel Embiid scoring 20 points and grabbing 7 rebounds in his first game NBA game, but he’ll be playing against eight-time NBA All-Star Dwight Howard who is currently leading the NBA in rebounds after securing 19 in the Hawks’ game against the Wizards.

Hawks’ starting power forward Paul Millsap averaged at least 16 points and 7 rebounds per game during his four seasons with the team and should have a better game than the Sixers’ rookie starting power forward Dario Saric. Small forward Kent Bazemore, shooting guard Kyle Korver, and point guard Dennis Schroder are all above average players that should be expected to preform better than the Sixers’ small forward Robert Covington, shooting guard Gerald Henderson, and point guard Sergio Rodriguez.

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The Sixers’ biggest and only advantages is having two days to prepare to the Hawks’ one day, the realistic possibility the Hawks underestimate the Sixers, and Jahlil Okafor being the highest scoring player off the bench for either team. October 26th, was the last time the Sixers played and it was at home. October 27th was the last time the Hawks played and they will have to travel to Philadelphia giving them less practice time than the Sixers. Based on the previous times these two teams played against each other, there is no reason for the Hawks to believe there is any chance they will lose this game. If the Hawks only bring their C game and the Sixers bring their A game, maybe the Sixers manage to win by a point or two.

Jahlil Okafor had a bad game against the Thunder scoring only 8 points and grabbing 3 rebounds while shooting 40 percent. But with the Hawks backup center Tiago Splitter injured with an hamstring injury, Okafor should be able to dominate when Howard is on the bench. If Okafor can score around 20 points while making at least 50 percent of their shots, the Sixers’ bench could compete with the Hawks’ bench.

Unfortunately, I just don’t see the Sixers winning this game, but I do believe they will keep the loss below double digits. I see the Hawks beating the Sixers 96-90.