Philadelphia 76ers vs Portland Trail Blazers: Match Preview and Predictions - 2nd November 2019
Match details
Fixture: Philadelphia 76ers vs Portland Trail Blazers
Date & Time: Saturday, 2nd November 2019 (10:00 PM ET)
Venue: Moda Center, Portland, OR
Last game results
Philadelphia 76ers (4-0): 117-95 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves (30th October, Wednesday)
Portland Trail Blazers (3-2): 102-109 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder (30th October, Wednesday)
Philadelphia 76ers Preview
Many feared for the Philadelphia 76ers' championship prospects this season after they lost Jimmy Butler and JJ Redick in the off-season. However, they've silenced their doubters with a blistering start to the new campaign.
The Sixers have reeled off four successive wins and are the only unbeaten team remaining in the NBA. On the back of a comfortable 117-95 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Ben Simmons and co. now travel to Oregon to take on the Portland Trail Blazers, looking for their fifth straight victory.
Key Player - Ben Simmons
In the absence of Joel Embiid, there will be added responsibility on Ben Simmons to lead the Philadelphia offense.
Simmons impressed in the two games against the Blazers last season, averaging 24 points, five rebounds and 6.5 assists.
The Australian also worked on his jump shot in the off-season and there will be no better stage than the Moda Center for Simmons to showcase his new-found skills.
76ers predicted lineup
Tobias Harris, Mike Scott, Al Horford, Josh Richardson, Ben Simmons
Portland Trail Blazers Preview
Portland have blown hot and cold this season. After a disappointing home loss to the Denver Nuggets to open their campaign, the Blazers picked up back to back road wins at Sacramento and Dallas, but followed it up with a three-point loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
However, they got back to winning ways by edging the Oklahoma City Thunder in a thrilling encounter last time around.
They next welcome an unbeaten 76ers side to the Moda Center in a bid to improve to 4-2 this season.
Key Player - Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard carried the Blazers to the Western Conference Finals last season, averaging 25.8 points and 6.9 assists per game. He's picked up from where he left off last campaign and is averaging 29.2 points and 7.6 assists across five games this season.
Lillard's three-point barrage in the final quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the previous game helped his side overcome a deficit and steal a victory, and he enters this contest high on confidence.
The 76ers have had their fair share of problems defending speedy guards and Lillard will look to take advantage of that and torch them with another 30-point display.
Trail Blazers predicted lineup
Rodney Hood, Anthony Tolliver, Hassan Whiteside, CJ McCollum, Damian Lillard
76ers vs Trail Blazers Match Prediction
The 76ers head into this clash without All-Star center Joel Embiid which could have a major impact on the result.
Philadelphia have historically struggled to defend athletic guards and Portland have inarguably the best backcourt in the league.
Last season, the Blazers swept the 76ers, outscoring them by 49 points across two games. Without Embiid, Philadelphia could struggle to keep pace with a free-scoring Portland offense and should succumb to their first defeat of the season.
Where to Watch 76ers vs Trail Blazers?
The game will be broadcast on NBC Sports Northwest and NBC Sports Philadelphia from 10:00 PM (ET). You can live stream the game via NBA League Pass.