The Sixers (3-33) return home from their six-game road trip to host the Minnesota Timberwolves (12-22) at the Wells Fargo Center on Monday night (7 p.m./CSN).
Let’s take a closer look at the matchup:
1. Steps in the right direction
Despite a 2-4 record on their road trip, the Sixers really made strides during their time away for the holidays.
The growth has coincided with the return of Ish Smith. The point guard has averaged 13.4 points, 7.6 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game since being acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans on Christmas Eve.
That strong play has rubbed off on the entire team. The Sixers have averaged 99.0 points and 22.8 assists per game since Smith rejoined the lineup. Those numbers are up from 91.4 points and 18.8 assists prior to Smith’s return.
“We really made huge strides this road trip,” center Jahlil Okafor said. “I’ve heard a few guys in the locker room say we have a little swagger now. Now we’ve won a few games and there’s a new attitude to this team we’re all really excited about.”
2. Okafor vs. Towns II
While Nerlens Noel has benefitted the most with Smith back in the fold (16.0 points and 9.2 rebounds on 70.8 percent shooting over last five games), Okafor will be the big man to watch for the Sixers on Monday.
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Okafor appeared all the way back from his right knee soreness during the Sixers’ finale on their road trip. He scored 23 points on 10 of 14 shooting and grabbed four boards in a blowout loss to the Clippers.
That’s a good sign for the Sixers going into a matchup with Karl-Anthony Towns and the Timberwolves.
Okafor, who is averaging 17.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game this season, dominated the first meeting between the two Rookie of the Year candidates. Okafor had 25 points on 10 for 15 shooting to go along with 12 rebounds and two blocks when the two teams faced off back on Nov. 23.
A foul-plagued Towns, who is averaging 16.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game, was held to six points and two rebounds in 19 minutes in the season’s first tilt. However, his Timberwolves still managed to earn a 100-95 win.
Towns will certainly be looking for a better showing this time out, while Okafor again tries to prove why he should have been the No. 1 pick in last June’s draft. Should make for an interesting battle.
3. Watch Wiggins
Even if the overall numbers haven’t been there, the Sixers have shown better defensive principles over the last handful of games.
Sure, they got blitzed by the supremely-talented Los Angeles Clippers in Saturday’s 130-99 loss, but that was to be expected. With defensive-minded Jerami Grant and JaKarr Sampson seeing plenty of minutes, opponents are working for every shot they get.
Despite allowing the Clippers to shoot an insane 60.5 percent, the Sixers are letting opposing teams make 43.7 percent of their shots over the last five games. That’s down from their season average of 45.8 percent for the season.
They will need to continue that aggressive defense against Minnesota’s Andrew Wiggins. The swingman is averaging 20.5 points per game and lit the Sixers up for 11 of his game-high 32 points during the final five minutes of the first contest.
4. Injuries
Nikola Pekovic (Achilles) is out for the Timberwolves.
Hollis Thompson (eye) is a game-time decision. Joel Embiid (foot) is out.
5. This and that
• The Sixers have won five of the last seven against the Timberwolves in Philadelphia.
• The Timberwolves have lost six of their last seven overall.
• Monday marks the first game of a six-game homestand for the Sixers.
• Ricky Rubio has averaged 13.2 points, 7.4 assists and 5.2 rebounds against the Sixers during his career.