76ers vs. Nets: Will Nic Batum Return in Brooklyn?

On Sunday, the Philadelphia 76ers will take a trip to New York to face the Brooklyn Nets for the first time during the regular season. While they won’t be fully healthy, the Sixers anticipate getting another player back in the mix.

Lately, the veteran forward Nic Batum has been out of the mix. As he’s been away from the team due to personal reasons, the Sixers competed without the veteran for the previous three games.

In his absence, the Sixers needed to put together a new starting lineup, giving Robert Covington the promotion. In Batum’s absence, Covington averaged 25 minutes on the floor. During that time, he knocked down 45 percent of his shots, averaging eight points per game.

While Covington contributed well in the Sixers’ starting five, there’s a good chance Nic Batum might slide back into the starting lineup when the team takes on the Nets on Sunday afternoon.

Last Sunday, Batum collected his first start as a member of the Sixers. He appeared on the court for 33 minutes, draining three of his five attempts from the field, all of which, were from beyond the arc. Batum finished the night with nine points, seven rebounds, one steal, and one block en route to a 76ers victory over the Indiana Pacers.

In the first two games without Batum, the Sixers came up short in a rematch against the Pacers and a battle against the Boston Celtics. The Sixers bounced back on Friday night with a victory over the Atlanta Hawks for their third NBA In-Season Tournament matchup.

The Sixers have an opportunity to close out this week’s slate on a successful note after getting off to a rough start.

Facing a shorthanded Brooklyn Nets team, the Sixers have an advantage as they look to take care of business in the Eastern Conference. Sunday’s matchup should serve as another opportunity for Batum to find comfort within the system, as he’s appeared in just four of the nine games that have been played since he joined the Sixers.