San Antonio @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 17, 2018 ) Philadelphia 96, San Antonio 123

The Philadelphia 76ers could be without Jimmy Butler for the second straight game when they host the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. Butler missed Monday's 121-93 whipping of the visiting Houston Rockets and is listed as questionable to play against the Spurs.

Point guard Ben Simmons (upper respiratory infection) is also questionable for Philadelphia, which silenced the high-scoring Rockets for most of Monday's contest while recording 14 blocked shots. "Our defense was great, especially in the third quarter," center Joel Embiid told reporters after contributing 32 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks. "I think they only had 13 points. We did a pretty good job, so we've got to keep moving on that and get better but it was good to see." The Spurs are coming off a disappointing 103-95 home loss against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday when they committed 18 turnovers. "I think they out-executed us and out-competed us every way, shape and form," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich told reporters. "And, we were sloppy with the ball on top of it, so that's a bad combination."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, KENS (San Antonio), NBCS Philadelphia

ABOUT THE SPURS (27-21): Shooting guard DeMar DeRozan missed one game with ankle soreness and then was off the mark often against the Clippers. DeRozan was just 4-of-16 shooting and the eight points represented his second-lowest outing of the season but backcourt mate Derrick White expects DeRozan to bounce back fast. "The next game's going to come and he's going to do what he does," White told reporters about DeRozan. "It happens, it's a long season. I'm not too worried about it."

ABOUT THE 76ERS (31-17): With Butler ailing, Philadelphia coach Brett Brown surprisingly inserted forward Corey Brewer into the lineup and the 12-year veteran played solidly against the Rockets. Brewer energized the squad with 11 points, two steals and two blocked shots in 33 minutes in just his second game with the team. "Isn't that what life's all about?" Brown said during his postgame press conference. "You get an opportunity and you hope to deliver. He did deliver. I feel that what he did was unique. It was special. He's good people, and I'm thrilled he had the opportunity and to live it like he did."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. SF Rudy Gay scored 21 points as the Spurs rolled to a 123-96 victory over the 76ers on Dec. 17.

2. Philadelphia rookie SG Landry Shamet is 10-of-16 shooting over the past two games.

3. San Antonio F Davis Bertans (personal reasons) will sit out Wednesday's game.

PREDICTION: 76ers 111, Spurs 106