These two staples of conference supremacy, last meeting three and four seasons ago, have actually, surprisingly so, undergone significant roster overhaul over the years. Buddy Hield, the renown sharpshooter, was part of both San Antonio iterations that bested Philadelphia, but now he’s on the other side. The same goes for Robert Covington, a former 76er alum.
The respective eras of Ben Simmons and James Harden may be over, but one constant remains in Philly: Joel Embiid, starving for that elusive NBA Championship ring. “I still remember that double overtime game. Shake hit that crazy shot. I had like 40-something, and then Ben fouled out. I just feel very blessed to be here again. I’m proud of our team, and Tyrese, Kelly, all our players, and back when we had James. We want to be the one team to beat these guys. I know we can do it. I can’t play forever, man.”
Embiid’s jovial nature is the calm before the storm because undoubtedly Joel and Andre Drummond will have another titanic clash on the glass. Now given the keys to the floor, Tyrese Maxey’s moment has finally arrived. In those precious four face-offs, Philadelphia has fared 2-16 against the Spurs, but to their credit, they are the only team to net two Ws against them; conversely, the Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers, have fared 1-12 and 1-16 respectively. Philadelphia & San Antonio’s two regular season meetings were won by the Spurs.
