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Sixers-Nuggets: Looking for a shorthanded win in Denver

Denver is 12-3 at the Pepsi Center.

Sixers forward Dario Saric passes the basketball to teammate forward Amir Johnson past Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (left) and center Jakob Poeltl on Thursday, December 21, 2017 in Philadelphia.
Sixers forward Dario Saric passes the basketball to teammate forward Amir Johnson past Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (left) and center Jakob Poeltl on Thursday, December 21, 2017 in Philadelphia.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer

76ers (15-19) at Denver Nuggets (19-16)

Saturday at 9 p.m., at the Pepsi Center

Talking points

The Nuggets have one of the league's best home records. They are 12-3 at the Pepsi Center, but just 7-13 on the road. Second-year player Jamal Murray is establishing himself as a solid point guard, averaging 18.8 points in the last five games. The Sixers will be without Joel Embiid, who's resting in the first game of a back-to-back situation. Embiid is expected to play against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. The Sixers are 1-7 in games he's missed this season.

How to watch and follow the game

  1. TV and streaming: NBC Sports Philadelphia

  2. Radio: 97.5 FM

  3. Twitter: @PompeyOnSixers

Starting lineups

Sixers (15-19)

33 Robert Covington SF 6-9  14.3 ppg. 5.9 rpg

9 Dario Saric PF 6-10  13.0 ppg. 7.0 rpg.

5 Amir Johnson C 6-10 4.8 ppg. 4.8 rpg.

17 JJ Redick SG 6-4  16.9 ppg. 3.4 apg.

25 Ben Simmons PG 6-10 16.8 ppg. 7.6 apg.

Coach: Brett Brown (fifth season, 90-272)

Injury report: Markelle Fultz (right shoulder rehabilitation, out); Furkan Korkmaz (Lisfranc fracture, out); Joel Embiid (rest, out); Justin Anderson (shin splints left leg, doubtful); Robert Covington (left middle figure injury, questionable).

Nuggets  (19-16)

21 Wilson Chandler SF 6-9 10.1 ppg 5.4 apg.

15 Nikola Jokic PF 6-11 16.2  ppg. 10.1 rpg.

24 Mason Plumlee C 6-11 6.9  ppg. 5.7 rpg.

14 Gary Harris SG 6-4 16.0 ppg. 3.3 apg.

27 Jamal Murray G 6-4 15.3 ppg. 3.4 apg.

Coach: Mike Malone (Fifth season, 131-174)

Injury report: Malik Beasley (right elbow soreness, questionable); Juancho Hernangomez (illness, questionable); Paul Millsap (left wrist ligament injury, out).

Head to head

The Sixers have a 47-37 series advantage.

Coming games

Sunday:  8 p.m., at Talking Stick Resort Arena, Sixers at Phoenix Suns

Wednesday: 7 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center, San Antonio Spurs at Sixers

Friday: 7 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center, Detroit Pistons at Sixers

Jan. 11: 3 p.m., at The 02 Arena, Boston Celtics at Sixers

Jan. 15: 1 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center, Toronto Raptors at Sixers