In a quest to halt a two-game skid, the Philadelphia 76ers are set to confront the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday evening.

Following a 106-79 defeat to the New York Knicks earlier in the week, the Sixers succumbed to a 114-105 loss against the Milwaukee Bucks just days later.

Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers (36-30) with 30 points against the Bucks, while Tobias Harris added 15, Cameron Payne 13 and Kyle Lowry 12.

Struggling without their star MVP Joel Embiid, especially defensively, the Sixers will also be missing De’Anthony Melton (back) and Robert Covington (knee) for the upcoming match. Harris is doubtful due to a sprained right ankle.

“I think we’re pretty close,” Maxey said of finding a rhythm without Embiid. “I mean, that game we played like 3 1/2 really good quarters. Down the stretch, I didn’t make a shot.”

“We tried to get some stops, and the ball didn’t bounce our way a couple of times, but I think we’re doing a good job. Coach (Nick) Nurse and them, they’re really implementing a good system from when the big fella’s out, and I think the guys are really buying into it.”

With a disappointing record of 10-22 without Embiid this season, the Sixers are edging towards a place in the playoff play-in stage of the Eastern Conference.

Their current focus is on maintaining a positive mindset.

“I think that the effort was really good,” Nurse after the most recent loss. “I think, obviously, I think you could see schematically defensively, we were doing a lot of things we wanted to do. Especially, in the first half we turned them over a bunch.”

“Probably the difference in the game, we didn’t quite get to as many turnovers in the second, although there probably should have been a few more.”

The Hornets, coming off a home defeat to the Phoenix Suns, will be on the road to face the Sixers.

This loss marked the 50th defeat for the Hornets this season, with 15 games left on their schedule.

Vasilije Micic led the scoring for Charlotte (17-50) with 21 points, supported by Grant Williams with 20, Miles Bridges with 17 points and 10 rebounds, Brandon Miller with 14 points, Tre Mann with 12, and Nick Richards with 15 rebounds.

However, the outcome extended their streak of losses in a season marred by setbacks and injury woes.

Key players like LaMelo Ball, Seth Curry, Cody Martin, Bryce McGowens, and Mark Williams were sidelined due to injuries, further complicating the Hornets’ situation.

The team’s struggles were evident in their poor shooting performance, with only a 37.2% field goal percentage and 6 of 37 shots made from beyond the arc.

“Sometimes, when you’ve missed three or four, you’ve got to drive the ball with force and play harder, trying to get something more going to the basket,” Charlotte coach Steve Clifford said. “Even in the second half we just shot the ball really poorly.”

The team’s persistent struggle with generating inside shots was once again highlighted in the game against the Suns.

“When the ball is not going in the basket, there’s a lot of gray area there,” Clifford said. “When you’ve missed four or five jumpers in a row, without getting something to the basket, it’s a good idea to get something to the basket.”

Despite the challenges, Micic showcased promise with consistent high-scoring performances, marking his acquisition from the Oklahoma City Thunder in February.

“I think he’s getting more and more comfortable and more and more confident,” Clifford said.