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About a week ago, I wrote about how we were all just waiting for the Play-In Tournament<\/a>, surmising that this roster-depleted version of the Sixers was in no shape to finish above seventh place in the Eastern Conference. What I failed to properly account for was the remaining strength of schedule and just how many teams in the league are flat-out not trying to win games during this time of the year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n With recent wins over Brooklyn and worst-in-the-West Sacramento (plus a legitimately good showing in a victory over the Blazers), the Sixers are now 1.5 games back of fifth-place Toronto and a half-game behind sixth-place Orlando. Tonight is another good opportunity to take advantage of a tanker, as Philadelphia travels to Utah to take on a Jazz team that has been at the center of lottery reform conversations for a couple years now.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Sixers\u2019 injury report for tonight looks similar, with Joel Embiid shifting back to being out after temporarily being listed as doubtful.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n A reminder that Paul George is eligible to return from his suspension for Wednesday\u2019s game against Chicago.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Meanwhile, the Jazz will be without Walker Kessler (shoulder surgery), Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee), Jusuf Nurkic (nose surgery), Keyonte George (hamstring), Lauri Markkanen (hip), Isaiah Collier (hamstring), and Brice Sensabaugh (illness). John Konchar is also questionable with a quad issue. That\u2019s basically next year\u2019s starting five for Utah sitting out. It\u2019s a perfect opportunity for the Sixers to seize the day (or night rather) and mark another tally in the win column.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Of course, you still have to go out and put the ball in the hoop against opposing bench players and young guys hungry to prove themselves. VJ Edgecombe shined with 38 points, seven rebounds, and 11 assists in the win over the Kings. These increased on-ball reps are a valuable developmental experience for him during this period of time, which should pay dividends down the road and when other starters start filtering back into the lineup. Quentin Grimes has performed well with increased responsibility, scoring at least 23 points in five of his last eight games. It\u2019s going to be interesting to watch his free agency unfold this summer, with him opting to be unrestricted but the Sixers maintaining his Bird rights. Later rotation guys like Justin Edwards, Adem Bona, and MarJon Beauchamp have also flashed in key spots<\/p>\n<\/div>\n I\u2019m not going to say this is the best basketball you\u2019ll ever watch, or that this group won\u2019t get trounced by the Thunder on Monday. But credit to the Sixers for continuing to play hard lately and beat the teams they should still be beating. They\u2019ve kept things afloat enough that with George (and hopefully Embiid) returning during this upcoming week, getting to the actual playoffs is still more than a pipe dream. Tune in tonight to see if they can end the road trip on a high note in Utah.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n When:<\/strong> Saturday, March 21, 9:30 p.m. ET
Where: <\/strong>Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Watch: <\/strong>NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio:<\/strong> 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow:<\/strong> @LibertyBallers<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n