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Sports Tonight: A World Series Game 7 trumps all

Here is what's happening in sports on Wednesday, Nov. 1, including tonight's TV schedule.

The Dodgers' Cody Bellinger reacts after striking out with men on base against the Houston Astros in the eighth inning during Game 6 on Tuesday.
The Dodgers' Cody Bellinger reacts after striking out with men on base against the Houston Astros in the eighth inning during Game 6 on Tuesday.Read moreLuis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

Even in a city as provincial as Philadelphia, a Game 7 of the World Series has to take precedent.

So in homage of the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers pushing the 2017 Major League Baseball season to its absolute limit, the decisive game at 8 on FOX has to be the headliner.

Now, there were options because the Sixers are at home and the Flyers are at the Chicago Blackhawks at 8 on NBCSN. Still, this is the ultimate game of a dramatic World Series, and this time, when the pendulum swings for the final time, it will determine which team is crowned as champion.

Dodger Stadium is the third-oldest ballpark in MLB and has been the host for nine World Series, but this is the first Game 7 to be played at Chavez Ravine. That Los Angeles is 6-1 in the playoffs at home favors the Dodgers, but that lone loss was to Houston in Game 2.

In the previous 38 World Series that went to Game 7, the home and visiting teams have split, 19-19. When the Dodgers were still in Brooklyn, they were 0-2 in Game 7s at Ebbets Field.

The Dodgers and Astros have already combined to hit a World Series-record 24 home runs.

Sixers have chance for first winning streak of season

If you're Sixers coach Brett Brown, you have to be excited about the way your young squad is trending on the learning curve.

In Monday's win at Houston, the Sixers did positive and smart things in the closing minutes, the opposite of whate they had done last week in a last-second loss to the Rockets. When the Sixers play the Atlanta Hawks at 7 tonight at the Wells Fargo Center (TV: NBCSP; radio: 97.5 The Fanatic), Brown's squad will have another test.

Long winning streaks have been rare during Brown's first four seasons. His teams had just one of at least four games. Last season, the Sixers' longest winning streak was three games, which they accomplished three times.

The Sixers have their first opportunity for a three-game winning streak of the 2017-18 season against Atlanta. The Hawks are one of the four remaining teams with just one victory.

Beating teams you are supposed to beat shows development, especially when playing them at home.

What I’m reading

Frankly, I don't know what more to say than this: Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post reports that Brock Osweiler has been named the Broncos' starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Eagles.

Sixers president Bryan Colangelo refuses to acknowledge that he blew the chance to get value for Jahlil Okafor. Staff writer Keith Pompey reports the young center says he just wants to get out.

This game against Denver looked a bit more ominous on the Eagles schedule before the season started. Despite their struggles, the Broncos are a challenge. Staff writer Paul Domowitch gives the scouting report.

I'm not sure how much newly acquired running back Jay Ajayi will bring to the Eagles, but staff writer Jeff McLane break down Ajayi's game from every angle.

Defenseman Ivan Provorov has been touted for greatness since the Flyers drafted him seventh overall in 2015. Staff writer Sam Carchidi says the 20-year-old is showing leadership for a young and injured unit.

Penn State paid dearly for losing by one point at Ohio State days before the release of the first College Football Playoff rankings. Staff writer Joe Juliano explains how difficult it could be for the Nittany Lions to make the playoff final four.

Now that the Sixers have confirmed they believe Jahlil Okafor is a bust, stories of the player they could have had with the third overall pick in 2015 hurt a bit more. Kristaps Porzingis, who was picked fourth overall, is tearing it up for the New York Knicks.

The riff

My, my, things have certainly changed.

I don't think anyone ever believed that young centers Joel Embiid, Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor were all going to be long-term Sixers. It was always a colossal mistake to use high lottery picks in three consecutive drafts to acquire centers. The salary cap was never going to allow them to keep a sixth overall pick and two No. 3 overall picks at the same position.

Once Embiid was healthy, Noel and Okafor were always going to be moved.

The Sixers erred by over-valuing Noel and Okafor as the clock ran down on their rookie contracts. They convinced themselves they knew what "equal value" was as the market said no.

In the end, all the Sixers will have in return for the No. 6 pick in the 2013 draft and the No. 3 pick in the 2015 draft are a career backup in Justin Anderson and some second-round picks.

I guess they really were smarter than everyone else.

Tonight’s schedule

TV/Radio

World Series
Astros at Dodgers, 8 p.m. (Fox29)

NBA
Hawks at 76ers, 7 p.m. (NBCSP; WPEN-FM 97.5)
Rockets at Knicks, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Mavericks at Clippers, 10:30 p.m. (ESPN)

NHL
Flyers at Blackhawks, 8 p.m. (NBCSN; WMMR-FM 93.3)
Predators at Sharks, 10:30 p.m. (NBCSN)

College Football
Central Michigan at Western Michigan, 8 p.m. (ESPN2)

Golf on Golf Channel
College: East Lake Cup, 3 p.m.
European PGA: Turkish Airlines Open, 5 a.m. Thursday

Soccer
Champions League: Tottenham vs. Real Madrid, 3:30 p.m. (FS1)

Local Events

NBA
76ers vs. Hawks, 7 p.m., Wells Fargo Center