The set-up: The Philadelphia 76ers stumbled into Christmas on a five-game losing streak and nine losses in their previous 10 games. However, they won 105-98 in MSG over the Knicks on Christmas Day and that victory has sparked an 8-2 run that has the Sixers at 22-20. That leaves them 7th in the East, and while they are just 1 1/2 games inside the playoff cut line, they are also withing just 3 1/2 games of the third-seeded Cavs! Philly will visit the 16-29 Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, a team which finds itself seven games out of the West's final playoff spot. The Grizzlies have struggled quite a bit since PG Conley has been sidelined but had won three straight before dropping a 111-104 decision in New Orleans on Saturday.

Philadelphia: "(Coach Brett Brown) mentioned that we could jump to sixth (in the Eastern Conference) if we won," guard Ben Simmons told reporters after Saturday's 116-94 rout of the Bucks. "Obviously, it was a big game, and we did a really good job of closing it out." All-Star Joel Embiid has led the way during Philly's current three-game run by averaging 29.7 points and 12 rebounds. Embiid is averaging 24.0 & 10.9 on the season and Simmons checks in at 16.6-8.0-7.2. With JJ Redick (17.3) already out with a leg injury and fellow guard Jerryd Bayless (8.3) unavailable Saturday due to a sore wrist, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot made the most of a rare start with 16 points. "It was a big opportunity for me to show up and step up," Luwawu-Cabarrot told reporters. T.J. McConnell (7.8 & 4.8 APG) continues to step up in the backcourt as well and he has scored in double figures in four straight games for the first time this season.

Memphis: The Grizzlies started Saturday's game without guards Andrew Harrison (shoulder) and Mario Chalmers (shoulder) plus lost starting forward JaMychal Green () to an ankle injury after he had grabbed 16 rebounds in only 24 minutes. A 16-point deficit after one quarter also made for a rough night.It's really been a tough yera for Memphis with Zach Randi=olph leaving via free agency and Conley sidelined. The two bright spots have been center Marc Gasol (18.1 & 8.5) and Tyreke Evans, who has reestablished himself as a quality player. He averaging 19.4-5.2-4.9 but he's playing on a one-year, $3.3 million contract (a steal) but the Grizzlies will not have the cap space to re-sign him next summer. Talk about "one & done!"

The pick: Memphis is 2-12 against Eastern Conference opponents, compared to 14-17 versus the West. However, Memphis has won nine straight from Philadelphia, dating to December 2012, with the 76ers having averaged just 89.4 points in their last five matchups with the Grizzlies. Considering Memphis averages just 99.5 PPG on teh season (29th of 30 teams), the Under is an 8* play.