2020-21-22 Sixers Season

[xogfog]

There apparently was a good reason Aldridge missed the game last night. He has retired.

[phillychuck]

That was unexpected... Nets are very deep, though.

[bigegypt0417]

Nets are deep but still have no one who can cover Embiid.

If they play each other in the playoffs, it's going 7 and should be fun!

[bigegypt0417]

Sixers are struggling without Simmons. Third consecutive loss and another game against the bucks.

[xogfog]

With the Nets loss tonight, the Sixers are 3 games ahead of the Nets and Bucks, so they just need to win 4 of the final six to guarantee the top seed in the East. That would be important because it means they would potentially only have to play one of the Bucks or Nets and that would be in the Eastern Conference Finals, with the Sixers having home court advantage.

[phillychuck]

And the Sixers schedule over the next six games is manageable. Big game to set the tone tonight; first game back after a Texas/Chicago road trip vs. the Pelicans, who gave them trouble in N.O.

[VoteForKalas]

Ok, folks so who do you want the 76ers playing in the first round of the playoffs?

This assumes we hang onto the #1 seed.

Miami is likely the team we want to avoid

[schooldoc]

I'd like to avoid Miami or Boston. While I think the 76ers would get past either one, those would be the teams most likely to take a toll on the 76ers in terms of emotion, effort, games it would take, etc. It's not hard for me to see either a Philly-Miami or Philly-Boston series go 7 games.

Atlanta, Charlotte, Indiana, or Washington shouldn't take the 76ers past 5 games in my opinion.

[xogfog]

Sixers magic number for home court through the East is 2 after cruising past the Pistons tonight. Sixers off until Tuesday @ Pacers

[Squire]

Morey/Brand nailed last year's draft.

[xogfog]

Bucks lost tonight, so a Sixers win tomorrow vs. Indiana would clinch the East.

[phillychuck]

Furk and Matisse out, Embiid questionable with a non-covid illness. Spread out the minutes, get everyone ready and keep them sharp.

[bkeich]

Furk and Matisse out, Embiid questionable with a non-covid illness. Spread out the minutes, get everyone ready and keep them sharp.

At this point, I think I would limit Embiid to 20 minutes in each game, frankly, every starter. If someone has a boo-boo they are OUT. Basketball Playoffs are a long grind (hopefully) and (also hopefully) this is the first time alot of these guys will really go deep into the playoffs, 3 or 4 rounds. Also Embiid is just simply fragile and takes a big beating, and will even more so if other teams think they can wear him out or make him miss games. He really needs to be "managed" through this process, because with him we have a shot, without him we don't. I dont care who wins the MVP, he is the most VALUABLE player, he simply cannot be stopped by anyone currently in the league.

[nycphils]

Morey/Brand nailed last year's draft.

Seriously. Maxey looks like a possible player, and I’m very excited to see what Paul Reed can do next year.

[xogfog]

The Sixers have locked up the 1 seed in the East. They probably will rest the starters tomorrow to end the season and they won't play a meaningful game for about a week as the play in games take place.

[phillychuck]

Looks like they will likely play next Saturday--great to get some rest before playing Washington or Boston (I'm thinking Charlotte and Indiana lose in the play in). Boston missing Jaylen Brown might hamper their chances a bit...

[xogfog]

With the Knicks win today and the Heat's loss last night, the Knicks have clinched the fifth seed, So, if it plays to chalk the Sixers avoid the Heat in the 2nd round and the Heat have to play the Bucks in the first round. So we know so far the the first round is Knicks vs. Hawks, Bucks vs. Heat, Nets and Sixers opponents are TBD.

[xogfog]

...and with the Sixers win tonight (nice job by the bench), the Sixers would have home court advantage in the NBA Finals (should they get there) against every West team except the Jazz and Suns.

[zambonir]

That is not insignificant, especially if LA or GS pulls an upset.

I would think we want the Celtics to just win and get on with their #2 match-up, then the Sixers get whatever team survives two games.

Portland's on edge tonight but looks like the Blazers got this (or the Nuggets want to play Portland instead of the Lakers)

[xogfog]

Actually, between the Celtics and the Wizards, I'd rather avoid the Wizards, so I hope they beat the Celtics so the Nets would then play the Beal/Westbrook Wizards in the first round rather than a depleted Celtics team, that would leave the Sixers with one of the Hornets, Pacers or Celtics.