Preview: Warriors get their first crack at the new-look Sixers in Philadelphia

Game Information

Golden State Warriors (43-19) vs Philadelphia 76ers (40-22)

Date: Saturday, March 2nd, 2019

Location: Wells Fargo Center — Philadelphia, PA

Time: 5:30 PM PST

TV: ABC

Radio: 95.7 The Game

Blog buddy: Liberty Ballers

We’ve got a doozy here folks! This is a March matchup between two top-tier teams jostling for playoff positioning in their respective conferences.

Philly is attempting to construct a superteam on the fly, adding Tobias Harris and Jimmy Butler to a growing juggernaut that’s been built on the tall shoulders of young phenoms Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.

Per ESPN:

“The Sixers are figuring it out as they go -- ‘cramming for an exam,’ as (Sixers coach Brett) Brown put it -- as they try to get a handle on who they are with the postseason nearing. Embiid will be back soon, though he’s out for Saturday’s game against the Golden State Warriors, Brown said.”

Fresh off of their first win against the Oklahoma City Thunder since 2008, the Sixers are looking to build momentum headed into the playoffs. Harris in particular is catching on strong with his new ballclub.

Meanwhile in the Golden Empire...

The Warriors appear to be in their second consecutive drowsy jog into the postseason, much to the chagrin of a large contingent of Dub Nation who expect dominance every night. The reigning back-to-back champs have lost 4 of their last 6. Why? Well, it’s a combination of sporadic defense, resting players, tinkering with lineups to assimilate center DeMarcus Cousins and having a target on their back every night from thirsty opponents.

Also, there’s the disinterest in the slog of the regular season that comes when you’ve set the standard for basketball greatness.

Kevin Durant literally said the playoffs are the only thing we worry about in the Bay.

Still, the champs are competitors that love to entertain on the road against good teams. I would look for the Dubs to be motivated to give a good show against an up-and-coming Sixers team in front of that boisterous Philly crowd.

The last time the two teams met, the 76ers got the win in Oracle despite Steph Curry dropping 40.