76ers vs. Hawks: Key Talking Points

After suffering back-to-back losses at home, the Philadelphia 76ers hit the road Friday for a meeting with the Atlanta Hawks. This will be their third of four games for the group play round of the NBA in-season tournament.

The Sixers opened the year as one of the hottest teams in the NBA but now find themselves in a jam. They lost a rematch with the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday and couldn't take down a shorthanded Celtics team the following night. Despite these losses, Joel Embiid and company still sit in second place in the Eastern Conference standings.

As for the Hawks, they currently sit in seventh place with a record of 6-5. Similar to the Sixers, they'll be looking to get back on track after dropping their last game. Here are some things to watch leading into the matchup.

Can Robert Covington continue to be impactful on offense?

One of the positive takeaways from the Sixers' loss to the Celtics was Robert Covington having a strong night offensively. Inserted into the starting lineup, the veteran forward notched a season-high 16 points.

After the win, Covington opened up on starting to feel more comfortable with the Sixers. This is crucial for the team, as they'll need consistent production from him moving forward. With Nico Batum away from the team and Kelly Oubre injured, Covington is in line for a lot of playing time again on Friday. This should be a good opportunity for him to keep the momentum rolling.

Will Jaden Springer get big minutes again?

In a shocking turn of events, Jaden Springer was one of the key standouts for the Sixers on Wednesday night. Nick Nurse called his number to provide energy, and the young guard did just that. Along with scoring nine points, he also came away with two steals.

Springer has kept himself ready at all times for a moment like Wednesday. Coming off a noteworthy performance against a top team (albeit shorthanded), how Nurse rewards him against Atlanta will be something to monitor. Going against a star-level guard in Trae Young, Springer's intense defense might be needed in this matchup.

Can the Sixers get themselves out of this jam?

Given the circumstances, this game will be a big test for the Sixers. Coming off two straight losses, they need to get things back on track before this losing skid gets out of hand.

Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Tobias Harris have done well leading the charge. But now it's time for them to step up. As the top players on the team, it will be on them to set the tone and help the Sixers take care of business. The last thing they want to do is let their hot start go to waste by dropping a handful of games in a row.