The Sixers (8-55) will return to action in an attempt to snap their 12-game losing skid when they host the Houston Rockets (31-32) at the Wells Fargo Center on Wednesday night (7 p.m./CSN).
Let’s take a closer look at the matchup:
1. Help on the way
The Sixers still won’t have Jahlil Okafor in the lineup when they take the court on Wednesday, but there will be some reinforcements.
Nerlens Noel, Nik Stauskas and Kendall Marshall all practiced on Tuesday and are expected to suit up against the Rockets. Noel (knee), Stauskas and Marshall (upper-respiratory infections) each sat out the Sixers’ last two games.
Noel’s return will obviously be the big key. The big man is averaging 10.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game this season.
"I got a good run in," Noel said after practice Tuesday. "I felt pretty good, so we're looking to give it a go tomorrow."
His defensive presence will be a major boost for the team. With both Noel and Okafor out the past two games, the Sixers allowed a massive 90 points in the paint during their home-and-home series with the Miami Heat.
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2. Hard to stop Harden
Getting those three players back is good for the Sixers. However, even they might not be able to help slow down the scoring machine known as James Harden.
The Rockets’ star shooting guard is putting together another strong offensive season. Harden is second in the NBA behind only Stephen Curry with 29.0 points per game. He is also averaging 7.1 assists and 6.4 rebounds per game.
Those numbers are already scary enough, but Harden has been even better lately against the Sixers. The Beard has averaged 34.7 points in his last six games against the Sixers, which includes a season-high 50-point effort during the Rockets’ 116-114 win in the season’s first meeting between the two teams back on Nov. 27.
3. Sonny days
After being claimed off waivers, former Phoenix swingman Sonny Weems will see his first action in a Sixers uniform on Wednesday.
Weems went through his first practice Tuesday and left a positive impression on his new team.
“[He has] more of a veteran mind,” Sixers head coach Brett Brown said (see story). “He played overseas. It’s not like he’s 20. I think his athleticism is intriguing. I think that his defensive potential, kind of because of his athleticism, is intriguing. The fact that he’s played high-level basketball all over the world, you never know. We had a spot, we decided to fill it. You’ll see him play tomorrow. We won’t bury him on the bench.”
The 29-year-old Weems averaged 2.5 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 11.7 minutes off the bench for the Suns, but he should have a much better chance to prove himself with the Sixers.
“A lot can be done in 19 games,” he said after practice.
4. Injuries
Terrence Jones (illness) is a game-time decision for the Rockets.
Okafor (shin/knee) is out. Noel (knee), Stauskas and Marshall (upper-respiratory infections) are all probable.
5. This and that
• The Sixers are allowing 115.0 points a night during their 12-game skid.
• Houston is currently the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoff race.
• Ish Smith is averaging 19.7 points on 52.2 percent shooting along with 6.0 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game so far in March.
• Harden is averaging 35.2 points over his last 11 games.