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NBA schedule 2012: Sixers nationally televised twice in weekend games

The Philadelphia 76ers are currently on a three-game losing streak, but can win against a Utah Jazz team that's 1-5 on the road thus far this year and a Cleveland Cavaliers team that's 2-6 overall.

By Rodger Sherman
Tom Szczerbowski-US PRESSWIRE

The Philadelphia 76ers have a chance to stop a two-game skid Friday night against the Utah Jazz before hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday in a pair of games broadcast on ESPN and NBATV.

Against the Jazz, the issue is clear: Utah has a frontcourt of Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap, and Philadelphia's center depth in the absence of Andrew Bynum is killing them.

Although Mo Williams is leading the Jazz in scoring, Millsap is close behind and nearly averaging a double-double with 16.1 points and 9.7 rebounds while Jefferson actually is averaging a double double with 15.0 points and 11.8 boards per game. They've scored a combined 45.3 points in their last three outings, with the pair combining for 58 points and 26 rebounds in a triple-overtime win against the Toronto Raptors. Philadelphia will need to figure out some way of stopping the Jazz's bigs if they want to win Friday night. Whatever offense they can get from Kwame Brown, Lavoy Allen, Spencer Hawes and possibly Arnett Moultrie is extra. The Jazz have only won one of six tries on the road, so the home date is OK with the Sixers.

Sunday, the Sixers face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have notched a pair of wins on the season with a young backcourt of Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters. Age 20 and 21, respectively, the pair are showing their value early, with Irving averaging 24.3 points and 6.5 assists while Waiters has added 14.5 a game, but there isn't enough talent on the court for significant success, as the team is currently riding a four-game losing streak. Anderson Varejao is one to watch out for against that weak Philadelphia frontcourt, as the Brazilian is second in the league in rebounds with 13.7 per game and is coming off a massive 35-point, 18-rebound effort against the Brooklyn Nets in a loss.

Here's how to catch the games:

Friday, Nov. 16: Utah Jazz vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 7 p.m., ESPN

Sunday, Nov. 18: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 6 p.m., NBATV, CSN-Philadelphia