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Sixers-Trail Blazers preview: Ben Simmons and Philly must stop Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic

Portland's three-headed monster torched the Sixers last season.

Damian Lillard averaged 27 points per game in last season’s two series meetings between the Portland Trail Blazers and Philadelphia 76ers.
Damian Lillard averaged 27 points per game in last season’s two series meetings between the Portland Trail Blazers and Philadelphia 76ers.Read moreSteve Dykes/AP
    by Keith Pompey | Columnist
    Published 

Portland Trail Blazers (10-7) at 76ers (9-7)

Wednesday at 7 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center

Talking points

The Sixers must contend with the Blazers' three-headed monster of Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic and CJ McCollum. All three torched the Sixers last season. Lillard averaged 27 points in last season's two series meetings. Nurkic finished with 28 points, 20 rebounds, eight assists, two steals and six blocks in his lone game against the Sixers as a Blazer. (Sixers center Joel Embiid was sidelined that game)  And McCollum averaged 19.5 points in last season's two games. …  Portland has won two straight and four of their last five games. … This matchup features two of the league's top three rebounding teams. The Sixers rank first at 48.1 rebounds per game. The Blazers are third at 47.7.

How to watch and follow the game

  1. TV and streaming: NBC Philadelphia

  2. Radio: 97.5 FM

  3. Twitter: @PompeyOnSixers; @NBASarah

[Video: Damian Lillard knows the Sixers are not to be taken lightly]

Starting lineups

Blazers  (10-7)

4 Mo Harkless SF 6-9 6.2 ppg 4.1 rpg.

21 Noah Vonleh PF 6-9 5.0  ppg. 7.6 rpg.

27 Jusuf Nurkic C 7-0 14.3  ppg. 7.2 rpg.

3 CJ McCollum SG 6-3 22.6 ppg. 2.5 apg.

0 Damian Lillard G 6-3 22.4 ppg. 6.2 apg.

Coach: Terry Stotts (10th season, 348-362)

Injury report:  Al-Farouq Aminu (sprained right ankle, out)

Sixers (9-7)

33 Robert Covington SF 6-9  16.5 ppg. 1.7 spg

9 Dario Saric PF 6-10  9.6 ppg. 5.8 rpg.

21 Joel EmbiidC 7-2 22.3 ppg. 10.9 rpg.

17 JJ Redick SG 6-4  15.5 ppg. 3.9 apg.

25 Ben Simmons PG 6-10 18.7 ppg. 9.2 rpg.

Coach: Brett Brown (fifth season, 84-260)

Injury report: Markelle Fultz (right shoulder scapular muscle imbalance, out); Justin Anderson (left shin splints, out); Nik Stauskas (sprained right ankle, out).

Head to head

The Sixers have a 57-52 series advantage. The teams split last season's two series meetings.

Coming games

Friday: 7 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center,  Orlando Magic vs. Sixers

Monday:  7 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center, Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Sixers

Nov. 29: 7 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center, Washington Wizards vs. Sixers

Nov. 30:  7:30 p.m., at TD Garden, Sixers vs. Boston Celtics

Dec. 2: 7:30 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center, Detroit Pistons vs. Sixers