The Sixers (13-48) return home licking their wounds after a gut-wrenching, 123-118, loss to the Thunder in overtime Wednesday. They'll try to start a five-game homestand off right when they host the Jazz (24-36) Friday (7 p.m., CSN).
Here's what you need to know before tipoff:
1. Just like old times
It's hard to believe that Jason Richardson just made his return to the NBA after missing two and a half seasons.
Wednesday, the veteran shooting guard went off against the Thunder, scoring 29 points and hitting four three-pointers. It was Richardson's highest point total since he dropped 31 on the Bucks back on Feb. 11 2012, when he was still a member of the Magic.
Most importantly, Richardson set a season-high in minutes in the loss, playing 36.
As Richardson readjusts to the daily wear and tear of the NBA, look for him to play an even bigger role in coach Brett Brown's rotation going forward.
2. Good guy Gordie
There hasn't been too much to cheer about in Salt Lake City this year, but the emergence of small forward Gordon Hayward has been a bright spot.
NBA
In his fourth season, Hayward is posting a career-best mark in scoring (19.4 points) and has a solid PER of 19.91.
Since the All-Star break, though, Hayward's numbers have dipped. He's shooting only 38.7 percent in the seven games since compared to 46 percent before.
His recent struggles haven't hurt the Jazz all that much, though: they've won five of their last seven.
3. West side story
The Western Conference hasn't treated the Sixers well, especially in their own building.
The Sixers are 3-8 at home against Western foes, and just 4-19 overall.
The Sixers haven't taken down a foe from the Western Conference since they beat the rapidly-imploding Nuggets, 105-98, back on Feb. 3.
The team's first meeting with Utah didn't go well, either. The Jazz handled the Sixers at home, 88-71, behind a 17 -point, 15-rebound night from power forward Derrick Favors.
4. Injuries
Robert Covington (elbow) is day to day and missed Wednesday night's game. Joel Embiid (foot) and Tony Wroten (knee) are out indefinitely for the Sixers.
For the Jazz, guard Alec Burks (shoulder) is out for the season.
5. This and that
• The Sixers are ranked dead last in the league in scoring (90.7 points) and field goal makes (33.1) per game.
• Per basketball-reference.com, the Jazz are the NBA's slowest team, accumulating a pace rating (an estimate of possessions per 48 minutes) of 90.3.
• Sixers point guard Isaiah Canaan set or tied career-highs in points (31), rebounds (7) and assists (6) against Oklahoma City on Wednesday.
• Utah has won four straight over the Sixers.
• The Jazz rank first in points allowed since the All-Star break (83.0).