Philadelphia 76ers game previews between November 21 and November 27, including games against: Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat.

Miami Heat

Monday, 21 November 2016 at 07:00 PM ET Home

Two bad teams, the Miami Heat (4-8) and the Philadelphia 76ers (3-10), face off in a battle of the weaklings. Both teams are ranked among the lowest 10 scoring offenses in the league (Heat at 27th; Sixers at 24th), and the Sixers are ranked among the lowest 10 defenses in the league (24th in team defensive rating). Defense — this is what sets the Sixers and the Heat apart. 

The Miami Heat have the typical M.O. of a "defense first" team (all defense and no offense), and are currently ranked third in team defensive rating, behind the Atlanta Hawks and the LA Clippers. This can clearly be attributed to the inside presence of Hassan Whiteside, as well as the perimeter presence of Justise Winslow and guys like Josh Richardson. This gives the Heat a huge advantage against the Sixers, because, unlike the Heat, the Sixers don't play great defense OR great offense.

Memphis Grizzlies

Wednesday, 23 November 2016 at 07:00 PM ET Home

Two straight games for the Sixers against "defense first" teams. The Grizzlies are ranked slightly lower than the Heat defensively (only 6th in defensive rating), but they are slightly better than the Heat offensively. The Grizzlies are without their starting SF Chandler Parsons, but they do still have Mike Conley, Marc Gasol and a group of role players that can all go off for great individual nights. Joel Embiid may be able to stop Gasol from scoring, as well as score on him at will, but there is no one on the Sixers that can stop Conley from going on a tear like he has been known to do this season.

Despite all of this, there is one scenario in which the Sixers could win. Teams have been known to rest their older players against the Sixers, especially teams like the Spurs and the Grizzlies. So cross your fingers for this one folks.

Chicago Bulls

Friday, 25 November 2016 at 07:30 PM ET Home

The Bulls have caught fire recently. Dwyane Wade is looking like the Wade of recent years, Rajon Rondo is looking like the Rondo of recent years and Jimmy Butler is looking like a true superstar. Although the Bulls started out the year relatively weak, they have played great recently. Robin Lopez has returned to his old form, anchoring their defense, and all of their shooters have started to hit their shots. The Bulls could become deadly soon, and it could start against the Sixers.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Sunday, 27 November 2016 at 01:00 PM ET Home

A top three team in the NBA against a bottom three —? the Cavs have a plethora of ways to demolish the Sixers. They have Kyrie Irving, running the point, playing the best ball of his life; Kevin Love, playing better than he has in years; LeBron James and one of the deepest benches in the NBA. The Sixers have Embiid and Dario Saric. It's an uneven match-up, to say the least. That being said, the Cavs have no interior defense to go against Embiid, so he could potentially have the game of his life, knowing how he loves to step up in big match-ups.