When Will Philadelphia 76ers Win 20th Game?

The Philadelphia 76ers have just won their 10th game. Now, when do they win their 20th?

The Philadelphia 76ers are far better than last season, and better than their current record of 10-25. That’s due to the fact that two of the five projected starters have not contributed so far this season. For now, projected starter Jerryd Bayless is gone for the season.

But rookie Ben Simmons is on his way, and should be with the team in February 2017. Meanwhile, the 76ers are slowly improving on both defense and offense. The teams average of 99.2 points per game is the best since the 2013-2014 season at 99.5.  In that season, the team’s defense was up to 109.9 points per game surrendered.

Conversely, the team is surrendering just 105.9 points per game good for 21st in the NBA. The teams differential of (6.7) points per game was last bested in the 2012-2013 season, when the team ignored their (3.3) points deficit to finish 34-48.

Keep Getting Better

This Philadelphia 76ers team is improving with each game. It was not so long ago that the team was dead last in offense at 92.8 points per game. Now, at 99.2 points per game, is miraculous. While the team stresses defense, that has been a tougher area to develop due to injuries and need to experiment at center.

But with the team now having access to Nerlens Noel, who is very motivated to put a good showing in his final year of his contract. So far, Noel has had playing time in 10 of the team’s 35 games. The average points allowed in his games has been 103.0 points per game. Had the 76ers managed that all season, the team would be 11th in the NBA in points allowed.

The team has defensive standouts on the roster. Robert Covington has made huge strides this season. Gerald Henderson is very good in that department. And surprisingly, the teams best defensive games occurred when T.J. McConnell has started in back to back games for the team at point guard (79 points at Detroit, 88 points at New Orleans).