When will it end?
The Sixers lost their 10th game in a row to start the season, but really, did you expect them to beat the Thunder or Spurs over the weekend?
It really doesn't get any easier when the Dallas Mavericks (6-4), another 2014-15 playoff team, come to town.
Here are five things to look for ahead of tonight's game (7:00/CSN).
1. What about Bob?
Robert Covington will return. The Sixers' leading scorer from last season has played in only one game while battling a knee sprain and bruise.
Covington's presence doesn't make the Sixers a sure thing in any of their upcoming games but he certainly won't hurt their chances. Points are at a premium for the Sixers this year — they're dead last with 91.1 points a game. What's astonishing is that more than 21 percent of that has come from Jahlil Okafor (19.2 ppg).
Another area where Covington is sorely missed is beyond the arc. Nik Stauskas has disappointed so far with his shots from distance (28 percent). Isaiah Canaan (44 percent) and Hollis Thompson (42 percent) have caught fire at times from three-point range. But Covington immediately becomes their best scoring threat from the perimeter.
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Of course, Covington will have to knock off some rust. Expect a minutes restriction tonight, and give him a game or two to get up to speed.
2. Comeback Kid
Okafor had his worst game as a pro on Friday night in Oklahoma City. The rookie big man recorded a season-low six points on 3 of 18 from the field.
The encouraging thing is the way Okafor bounced back on Saturday in San Antonio. He had his second double-double of the season with 21 points and 12 rebounds. He also shot 9 of 17 from the floor.
The game against the Thunder won't be the last time the 19-year-old struggles. The fact that he came out the next night against a formidable opponent and did what he did shows you something.
3. Outmanned but not outdone
The Mavericks were without three of their starters when they beat the Rockets, 110-98, on Saturday night. Dirk Nowitzki, Chandler Parsons and Wesley Matthews all took the night off.
In their absence, Dallas had a balanced night offensively. Veteran guard Raymond Felton led the team with 23 points and was among six players in double figures. The Mavs have an interesting rotation that features four point guards: Felton, former All-Star Deron Williams, Devin Harris and J.J. Barea. That could spell trouble for a Sixers team that severely lacks depth at the position.
4. Injuries
Point guard Phil Pressey is questionable with a stomach virus and rookie forward Richaun Holmes (hamstring) is out for another week.
Kendall Marshall and Tony Wroten, both recovering from ACLs, are currently rehabbing with the Sixers' D-League affiliate, the Delaware 87ers. Joel Embiid (foot) remains out.
5. This and that
• The Mavericks are on a three-game winning streak and have won four out of their last five.
• The Sixers' losing streak is now up to 20 consecutive games dating back to last season.
• The Mavs have won eight of the last nine meetings, including five straight.
• Okafor leads all rookies in points per game, is second in blocks (1.8) and third in rebounds (7.3).
• Okafor also leads all rookies with 4.2 free-throw attempts per game. His 61 percent mark from the charity stripe is also better than expected.