NBA: Skidding 76ers face tough challenge vs. Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves

The struggling Philadelphia 76ers have their work cut out for them as they aim to stop Anthony Edwards and the red-hot Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis on Sunday.

It will be the second leg of a back-to-back road trip for the Sixers, whose losing streak has stretched to four games — all by double digits — after a 126-111 loss to the lowly New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.

Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse acknowledged the challenges his team faces, especially without Joel Embiid (right knee and shin injury) in all four losses.

"It's tough," Nurse said. "It's really tough. Certainly our toughest moment of the season, for sure — all year, without question. We've got to get back to being able to play the full 48 minutes."

Tyrese Maxey, averaging 28.9 points per game, led Philadelphia with 27 points in New Orleans. However, his performance came on a rough 9-of-23 shooting from the field, including 2-of-11 from three-point range.

Over his past seven games, Maxey has shot 41.4% from the field and 25.4% from deep. His scoring has cooled after a blistering start to the season, as opposing defenses now focus more attention on him.

"Obviously, he's getting a lot of focus," Nurse said. "They’re putting two on the basketball a lot, parking another defender in the lane, so there's a lot that he's looking at. Earlier in the year, he had freer movement than he's ever had, and we just haven't been able to find that since."

In Minnesota, Edwards has raised his season scoring average to a career-high 29.5 points per game, continuing to expand his offensive arsenal.

Fresh off being named All-Star Game MVP, Edwards scored 40 points to lead the Timberwolves to a 122-111 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. It was Minnesota's third straight win and marked the 27th 40-point game of Edwards’ career.

Edwards’ performance in the clutch against Dallas was particularly impressive. Coming off the bench with the score tied at 103 midway through the fourth quarter, he outscored the Mavericks 14-8 down the stretch with a mix of three-pointers, drives, pull-ups, and turnaround jumpers.

"Ant was awesome," Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. "He finished the game like he can. I thought his shot selection was really good for the most part — took the right shots. In clutch time, he got to his spots, pretty simply."

Previously criticized for relying on predictable three-pointers in big moments, Edwards is now showing more variety in his scoring. He credited Finch’s tough coaching style for helping him reach the best form of his career.

"Finchy, I'm not going to lie, he's the toughest coach I've ever had," Edwards said. "But it works in my favor because he tells me what I need to work on and what I need to get better at. Last summer, he told me I needed a go-to shot at the end of games. I worked on that all summer, finding my spots and getting comfortable with them. He's a big part of my success, honestly."

Rudy Gobert contributed 22 points and 17 rebounds against Dallas, but his flagrant foul in the second quarter — his seventh of the season — resulted in a one-game suspension, sidelining him for Philadelphia’s matchup with the Timberwolves.

Philadelphia and Minnesota have faced off 68 times overall, splitting the series 34-34. The Timberwolves won both meetings last season.

—Field Level Media/Reuters