The Sixers (9-62) continue their four-game road trip on Wednesday night when they face the Denver Nuggets (29-42) at the Pepsi Center (9 p.m./CSN).
Let’s take a closer look at the matchup:
1. Help on the way?
The Sixers have been overmatched because of talent and injuries during their recent stretch of games. One of those problems could be slightly alleviated when they take the court in Denver.
Robert Covington and Richaun Holmes could each return from six-game absences when the Sixers take on the Nuggets.
Covington has been in the league’s concussion protocol since getting kicked in the head and neck area by teammate Jerami Grant in the Sixers’ win over the Brooklyn Nets on March 11. Holmes also exited that game with a strained right Achilles.
Covington, who is the Sixers’ third-leading scorer, recently resumed on-court activities and is expected to give it a go when the team attempts to snap its losing skid on Wednesday.
“That’s what I’ve been pushing for,” Covington said of returning against the Nuggets. “Being on the sidelines, seeing your teammates battle -- of course you want to be out there. I just gotta take the right steps so there’ll be no setbacks when I come back.”
2. Points at a premium
The Sixers could certainly use the reinforcements, especially on offense.
They turned in a dismal offensive effort in Monday’s 91-75 loss to the Indiana Pacers. The Sixers shot 38.8 percent from the field and 22.2 percent from three-point range in the defeat. They also connected on just 9 of 14 free throws (64.3 percent).
They’re going to need a much better showing in the Pepsi Center altitude against the Nuggets.
Despite just finishing off a rough five-game road trip during which they went 1-4, the Nuggets have been strong at home lately. Denver has won four in a row at home and has averaged 114.5 points in those games.
3. Reunited and it feels so good
The Sixers could get to face one of their good former teammates when they suit up against the Nuggets.
JaKarr Sampson, who is questionable with a shoulder injury, might take on the Sixers for the first time since the team waived him at the trade deadline.
Sampson was waived to make room for Joel Anthony in a three-team deal involving the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons that was later voided. The Sixers had hoped to bring Sampson back, but the swingman ended up signing a multi-year deal with Denver.
Sampson has started 12 of 15 games with the Nuggets. He has averaged 4.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 16.9 minutes per game and continued to play fierce defense.
Despite being on the opposite side on Wednesday, Sampson made it clear he will always have a soft spot for the Sixers.
"I feel like I formed relationships with those guys," he said on Tuesday. "That was my first NBA team, that I’m going to carry on for the rest of my NBA career."
4. Injuries
Sampson (shoulder) is questionable while Kenneth Faried (back) is a game-time decision.
Jameer Nelson (wrist) is available but hasn’t played in 23 games.
Danilo Gallinari (ankle) and Wilson Chandler (hip) are out for the Nuggets.
Covington (concussion) and Holmes (Achilles) are game-time decisions.
5. This and that
• The Sixers have won four of their last five games in Denver.
• Ish Smith has shot a combined 7 for 29 in the Sixers’ past two games.
• The Nuggets rallied for a 108-105 win over the Sixers in the season’s first meeting back on Dec. 5.