We can count on one hand how many teams the Philadelphia 76ers have beaten this season and still have a thumb left. That’s why it’s notable when there’s a rematch against a club the Sixers have already beaten, such as the Sixers taking on the Charlotte Hornets tonight following Philadelphia’s 107-105 overtime victory over them last month had achieved. That contest was the start of Jared McCain’s breakthrough, with the Sixers’ rookie guard dropping 27 points on 10 of 18 shooting. In this post-Thanksgiving period, let’s all pause to be grateful that we had McCain for at least the first 18 games.

Tyrese Maxey was unavailable at the previous meeting and is clearly back to doing his thing now. Meanwhile, LaMelo Ball put up 38 points and eight assists in the loss to Philadelphia, but the Hornets star is now out for at least two weeks with a left calf strain. Tre Mann is also out with a disc injury, meaning veteran Serbian point guard Vasilije Micic will be calling the shots for the Hornets tonight. Charlotte has more serious injuries to report, with Miles Bridges out with a bruised right knee and Grant Williams sidelined for the year with a torn ACL. This Hornets squad is shaping up to be a top candidate to #CaptureTheFlagg if I’ve ever seen one.

While Charlotte has suffered a setback on the point guard depth chart, the Sixers are thin up front. Joel Embiid remains out and Andre Drummond will miss his first game after spraining his ankle against Detroit. We’ll see more of Adem Bona Guerschon supporting Yabusele, while the Sixers just signed Pete Nance to a two-way contract as backup. In better injury news, Caleb Martin, Kyle Lowry and Reggie Jackson were all upgraded to probable. Cross your fingers and throw some salt over your shoulder. We are getting closer to a healthy roster for Philadelphia.

The Sixers’ first winning streak of the season begins by slowing down 2023 second overall pick Brandon Miller. The second-year forward is averaging 20.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and shooting 36.1 percent from three attempts on a whopping 10.6 attempts per game. Expect Paul George to see a lot of the young player, who considers the veteran All-NBA forward his GOAT.

We saw a similar formula over the weekend; Facing an Eastern Conference opponent not expected to clinch a playoff spot, the Sixers ultimately paved the way against Detroit with a dominant performance. Now against the 6-16 Hornets, who are missing their best player, it’s a prime spot for a repeat. Having Tyrese Maxey and Paul George back and basically firing on all cylinders should be enough for these Sixers to accomplish the once commonplace, now seemingly impossible act of winning two games in a row.

Game details

When: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
Regard: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Consequences: @LibertyBallers