Embiid 'excited' for difficult upcoming schedule

As one of the most dominant forces in the NBA, Philadelphia 76ers All-Star Joel Embiid isn't worried about a particularly tough upcoming schedule.

The next three weeks will present a stiff challenge for the Sixers, but the 7-footer insists they will give his team the chance to prove it can become a legitimate contender.

"I'm excited," Embiid said, according to ESPN's Tim Bontemps. "We're going to see how good we are and how good we can become - or how bad we are.

"I think the next three weeks are really going to shape our season. ... It will be exciting. It will be a good test."

Over the 76ers' next 13 games, 12 will be against teams above the .500 mark. They'll open the stretch at home versus the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday in Jimmy Butler's first game against his former team.

Philadelphia (28-16) will then see several top contending teams including the Golden State Warriors, Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets (twice), Houston Rockets, and Boston Celtics.

"I think the level rises," 76ers head coach Brett Brown said. "I think our talent rises, and I look forward to playing some of the elite."

Although the Sixers own the sixth-best record in the Association, they rank 12th on offense and defense and have yet to find their identity since trading for Butler in mid-November.