NBA Schedule 2018-19: Ranking MLK Day games by watchability

PHILADELPHIA,PA - JANUARY 27: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers and James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets have a conversation during the game at Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 27: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets dribbles the ball against Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the third quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Rockets defeated the 76ers 123-118. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

1. Rockets vs. Sixers

Sandwiched in between the two games previously mentioned will be Houston vs. Philly. There could be an argument made that both these teams’ roster got worse in the offseason. Both teams maintained their core, but lost some important surrounding pieces.

There seems to be more worry about Houston than Philly. After winning 65 games last season, Vegas has set Houston’s over/under at just 54.5 for this season. The Rockets lost starting small forward Trevor Ariza and reserve Luc Richard Mbah a Moute in free agency — two versatile defenders. They replaced them with less-proven 3-and-D wing James Ennis and a one-dimensional Carmelo Anthony.

Vegas sees Philly slightly improving, with a 54.5 over/under after winning 52 games last season. This also makes sense, as Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid are young stars that should continue to ascend. Markelle Fultz making any impact would also matter.

They did lose two important bench presences, however, in Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova. Both midseason additions, Belinelli and Ilyasova helped push Philly into the second round of the playoffs.

dark. Next. LeBron is ready to Shut Up and Dribble

Starpower rules all, though. We will see if those losses hurt the Sixers in the longrun of the season, but for this matchup, there should be plenty of exciting action.

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