PHILADELPHIA — 76ers head coach Nick Nurse may soon have to decide whether to alter his starting unit when Paul George returns from injury. The prevailing assumption is that George would step in for Kelly Oubre Jr., yet Nurse told reporters he is hesitant to remove a player who has been “really outstanding.” Oubre is averaging 19.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks, often drawing the top defensive assignment, including Brandon Ingram in Saturday’s game.
Center Joel Embiid poured in a season-high 29 points in that contest, but emphasized ball movement over personal statistics. “It’s just about moving the ball, passing to the open guy,” Embiid said.
Warriors show little fight in lopsided loss
DENVER — The Nuggets jumped on Golden State early and never trailed, handing the Warriors a 25-point defeat. Forward Draymond Green said the team lacked “purpose and energy,” while head coach Steve Kerr questioned his club’s competitiveness. “There has to be some fire in the belly to get out of a tough night,” Kerr said. “You have to fight and compete every second. It didn’t feel like we did that tonight.”
Stephen Curry, who has missed two games with an illness, is listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup against the Pacers. Forward Al Horford is also questionable with a foot strain.
Heat lean on injured duo to edge Trail Blazers
MIAMI — Needing healthy bodies, the Heat received unexpected contributions from Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Norman Powell, both of whom played through ankle sprains in a high-scoring win over Portland. Jaquez was not cleared to play until shortly before tipoff after spending three hours treating his ankle, head coach Erik Spoelstra said. The second-year wing finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, while Powell added 22 points off the bench.
The two clubs combined for 267 points, a pace Spoelstra said reflects the style he wanted to instill from the first day of training camp. “Embracing the unknown was the first thing from media day,” he noted.
Source: Hoops Wire
