Sixers Roll Out Makeshift Starting Five as LeBron and Embiid Sit Out Back-to-Back

The Philadelphia 76ers are rolling out a Halloween lineup that looks like a random 2K generated roster because LeBron James and Joel Embiid are doing their scheduled load management.

Underdog NBA reported Saturday's starting five against the Charlotte Hornets will feature Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, Dean Wade, and Adem Bona.

"Underdog NBA reported: 'Lineup alert: Sixers will start Maxey, Edgecombe, Brown, Wade, Bona on Saturday.'"

The Sixers just grinded out a 98-93 win over the New York Knicks on Friday night. Because playing basketball two days in a row is now considered a medical hazard for anyone with a max contract, James and Embiid are sitting out the second leg of the back-to-back.

That leaves Adem Bona stepping in for a former MVP and Dean Wade filling the LeBron role. Wade just secured a four-year, $39 million bag to play defense, but asking him to replicate James is like asking a Honda Civic to tow a yacht.

At least Tyrese Maxey is still out there to carry the offense. He brings his 28.2 points per game into a matchup that suddenly looks a lot more competitive for Charlotte.

The real surprise here is Jaylen Brown lacing them up. He missed Friday's game with left knee tendinopathy, but apparently, the prospect of watching a Maxey-Wade two-man game was enough to heal him overnight.

For anyone holding a ticket on the Sixers to cover the spread, this lineup shift is a massive headache. Philadelphia is sitting pretty at 5-1 and second in the East, but taking two Hall of Famers off the floor turns a scheduled blowout into a sweat.

We will see if this makeshift starting five has enough firepower to survive Charlotte on Saturday night. If they drop this one, expect the Sixers to have their actual superteam rested and ready when the Chicago Bulls come to town on Tuesday.