Game 1 of 82 did not go in the Sixers’ favor. They hope game two does.

Let’s hope that a little early morning workout session from Ben and Markelle goes a long way for the rest of the season. Because after Tuesday night, they really need it.

The Bulls provide an opportunity to get something good going. Maybe Fultz can get it going after being mainly quiet in Boston. The Sixers looked like the same team that took the court to end last season, even though most of their new guys didn’t even play due to injuries.

Chicago is going through a process of their own, but not as extensive as when Sam Hinkie was in charge. They won’t have Lauri Markkanen due to an injury, so the Sixers will have to deal with Bobby Portis, Tyler Ulis, and rookie Wendell Carter leading the team. It should be a scrappy team that gives the Sixers a good fight for some time. Hopefully Brett Brown’s squad pulls away at some point.

If you go to the game tonight, you’ll get this sweet shirt:

Tipoff is at 8 PM on TNT.

The Roundup:

The Eagles continue to get ready for Sunday’s home game with the Panthers. And yes, the team is still banged up:

11 guys were on the injury report, more than one-fifth of the team. Rasul Douglas’ grandmother passed away, which was why he appeared on the list.

With Destiny Vaeao gone, the Birds are really thin at defensive tackle. Haloti Ngata is day-to-day with a calf injury while Tim Jernigan isn’t ready yet but should be soon.

Despite not practicing, Carson Wentz had a nice walk with Mike Trout. QB1 casually recruiting guys to come to Philly, I love it.

The Flyers are also a team that is playing, some people forget that now with the Sixers’ season underway. They take on the Blue Jackets tonight in Columbus. Puck drop is at 7 PM on NBC Sports Philadelphia.

After being a healthy scratch to start the season, Jordan Weal is turning it on.

Dave Hakstol made good changes in Tuesday’s win over the Panthers, but has some bigger ones to make soon.

Phillies manager Gabe Kapler is one of North America’s top 40 coaches.

Should the Phillies bring back Justin Bour?

Writes Corey Seidman:

The Phillies are in an interesting situation with the 30-year-old first baseman. He’s arbitration eligible this offseason for the second time after making $3.4 million last season. The expectation is he will be paid something in the vicinity of $5 million next season.

Would the Phillies pay $5 million to a first baseman off the bench?

Bour provided real value as a pinch-hitter in 2018, going 8 for 25 (.320) with a double, three homers and 11 RBI. He hit just .227 overall this past season, but from 2015 through 2017, his OPS was nearly 30 percent better than the league average. Bour hit .272/.344/.498 over that three-year span with an average of 21 homers in 109 games.

The 2019 Phillies would be a better team with Bour on the bench than without. He could play the Greg Dobbs role.

The big difference, though, is that Dobbs never made more than $1.35 million here. And Dobbs could play both infield corners and both outfield corners. Bour cannot. He is a more one-dimensional player who can play one position. That is not a knock on him, just the reality. The dimension he brings is worthwhile because every team needs left-handed power off the bench.

In other sports news, the Red Sox hung on to defeat the Astros 8-6 to extend their ALCS lead to 3-1. Game 5 is tonight at 8:09 PM on TBS.

The Dodgers defeated the Brewers 5-2 to take a 3-2 series lead in the NLCS. Game 6 is tomorrow night.

Is City of Basketball Love done?

https://twitter.com/hooplove215/status/1052688924718616577

Also to note, site founder Josh Verlin’s Twitter account is inactive.

Former ‘Nova star Josh Hart could have a breakout year with the Lakers:

In the news, a water main break shut down Girard Avenue early this morning.

China’s currency is at a two-year low.