The set-up: The 7-23 Philadelphia 76ers own the NBA's worst record, while the 19-13 Utah Jazz have established themselves as a team good enough to challenge OKC for first place in the Northwest Division (currently just one game back). However, as is so often the case, the pointspread can be the "great equalizer" and that's the case here, as Philly is 15-15 ATS and the Jazz, 16-15-1. The two team meet tonight in Salt Lake City.

Philadelphia: The 76ers do own the league's worst record but they remain optimistic, in large part due to Joel Embiid, who went toe-to-toe with Sacramento All-Star DeMarcus Cousins on Monday. "He's terrific," Kings head coach Dave Joerger told reporters of Embiid. "It should be illegal to be that big and that skilled at the same time. He's got a terrific future. The sky's the limit. Goodness gracious is he good. He's really good." Embiid is averaging 18.7 & 7.4 and has 25 points or more in three of the last four contests. However, Embiid's playing time has been limited and he will not play tonight. Embiid's absence will mean more playing time for Nerlens Noel, who has fallen out of Philadelphia's rotation after missing 24 games with knee and ankle injuries. Noel is averaging career lows of 4.2 points and 2.0 rebounds in only 7.8 minutes per game.

Utah: Starting point PG George Hill (20.2 & 4.2 APG) could return to the starting lineup for the Jazz when they host the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night. Hill has missed 13 games while recovering from a sprained toe. He practiced with Utah on Monday. Alec Burks practiced as well, although there's no timetable for his return. Burks has not played this season after having off-season ankle surgery (13.3 PPG in 31 games last year). The Jazz could really be good when "all hands are back on deck!" Hayward (22.4-6.2-3.8) has developed into one of the league's best small forwards and center Gobert averages 12.4 & 11.9, having recorded his 11th straight double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds on Tuesday.

The pick: Utah leads the NBA in scoring defense, surrendering an average of 95.3 PPG (opponents are shooting just 43.0%, which ranks 2nd) but yielded at least 100 for the third time in the last four games in Tuesday's triumph. "I thought we started defending better in the second half," Jazz coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "There was a period where they hit a lot of tough shots. I thought they made big plays around the basket, but I thought in the second half we made them earn it a bit more." The 76ers are one of six teams in the NBA averaging fewer than 99 points (98.7 PPG ranks 26th) and will be without their best player. The Under is a 10* play.