Posted on: December 3, 2022, 02:30h.
Final up to date on: December 3, 2022, 03:19h.
Taking pictures guard James Harden is predicted to return to the beginning lineup for the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday after lacking a month of motion with a foot damage.
James Harden, capturing guard from the Philadelphia 76ers, missed the final 14 video games as a result of a foot damage. (Picture: AP)
The 76ers meet the Houston Rockets on Monday night for the third and ultimate sport of a three-game street journey. The 76ers are in the course of a two-game mini-skid, after they went 8-3 of their earlier 11 video games. Total, the 76ers are 12-11 with latest street losses towards the Cleveland Cavs and Memphis Grizzlies.
The 76ers had a 4-5 document when Harden went down in early November. He missed 14 video games, and the 76ers posted a profitable document at 8-6 with out him. Since Harden’s damage, heart Joel Embiid missed a few video games with a foot damage, and level guard Tyrese Maxey fractured his foot virtually two weeks in the past.
With each Harden and Maxey out, head coach Doc Rivers relied on the 76ers’ depth. Backup capturing guard Shake Milton led the 76ers in scoring 3 times within the final six video games. Since Maxey’s damage, Milton averaged 20.4 ppg because the starter. During the last three weeks, backup guard De’Anthony Melton stepped up averaging 14 factors per sport whereas submitting in for Harden.
Harden to Return Versus Previous Squad
Harden was initially identified with a proper foot tendon damage, and anticipated to overlook 4 weeks of motion. He final performed in a loss towards Washington Wizards in early November when he sprained his proper foot.
Harden entered this season in one of the best bodily form he had been in years. A hamstring damage negatively affected his conditioning throughout his tenure with the Brooklyn Nets, and his paunchy demeanor grew to become meme fodder for trolls on social media.
Earlier than his damage, Harden averaged 22 factors, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds per sport in 9 video games this season. He shot 44.1% from the ground, and 33.3% from 3-point vary.
Harden spent eight plus seasons with the Houston Rockets earlier than they traded him to the Brooklyn Nets in late 2020. Harden gained the NBA MVP throughout the 2017-2018 season with the Rockets. Throughout his time in Houston, Harden averaged 29.6 factors, 7.7 assists, and 6.0 rebounds per sport. He additionally shot 36.2% from 3-point vary.
Harden has not regarded like his outdated harmful self since he left Houston. Embiid criticized Harden’s lackluster efficiency in final 12 months’s postseason and cited the halcyon days with the Rockets.
Clearly, I’m certain since we obtained him, all people anticipated the Houston James Harden, however that’s not who he’s,” stated a annoyed Embiid moments after the 76ers have been eradicated from the 2022 NBA Playoffs.
Harden took the critique to coronary heart and diligently labored on his bodily conditioning within the offseason. It was a foul coincidence that Harden suffered a foot damage 9 video games into the season.
The Athletic reported that Harden and the 76ers will goal Monday night time’s sport towards the Houston Rockets as his return date.
76ers Now the #7 Seed
Within the Jap Convention playoff standings, the 76ers are in seventh place and could be headed to the Play-In Match if the season have been to finish in the present day.
The 76ers are in third place within the tough and tumble Atlantic Division. The Boston Celtics opened up a 5.5-game lead over the Brooklyn Nets in second place. Solely two video games separate the Nets and last-place Knicks, with the 76ers and Toronto Raptors lumped within the center.
The Celtics are enormous favorites at -1600 odds to win the Atlantic Division, adopted by the Nets at +1600 odds, and the 76ers at +2000 odds.
The 76ers have been +1500 odds to win the 2022-23 NBA championship within the preseason. They slipped to +1900 odds after Harden went down together with his foot damage. After the primary quarter of the season is within the books, the 76ers at the moment are +2200 odds to win the title because the ninth-highest favourite on DraftKing’s NBA futures board.
