The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers remain road warriors – game by game analysis

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 10: Head coach Brett Brown (center left) talks with Nik Stauskas #11, T.J. McConnell #1 (center right) and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers during a timeout against the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on April 10, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Pacers won 120-111. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 10: Head coach Brett Brown (center left) talks with Nik Stauskas #11, T.J. McConnell #1 (center right) and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers during a timeout against the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on April 10, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Pacers won 120-111. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 12: Lonzo Ball
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 12: Lonzo Ball /

Philadelphia 76ers (7-6) at Los Angeles Lakers (5-9)

Let’s face it, the national media will portray this contest as something it is not. Close. Dramatic. On one hand, it will be Lonzo Ball vs Ben Simmons.  On the other hand, it will be Lonzo Ball vs. Markelle Fultz. Finally, it will be every Ball vs Joel Embiid. In the end, this is the Philadelphia 76ers facing the Los Angeles Lakers. Nothing more. Nothing less.

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Bill Simmons 'guarantees' Knicks will have one of three stars by next year /

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    • The Lakers fans will be somewhat disappointed in their team by the time the Philadelphia 76ers arrive. The presumption that the Lakers are a playoff team will begin to crumble by mid November.  And the visiting Philadelphia 76ers have two incentives in this game.  Team leader Joel Embiid is already miffed at the Ball family, and will likely be particularly dominating in this game. Plus the team owns the Lakers 2018 first round pick. So winning this game will help the overall team in the upcoming draft as well.

    Lakers fade begins mid-November

    Offensively, the Philadelphia 76ers are the better team. Defensively, the Lakers appear to be better. But the Lakers had some less than offensively oriented teams in the early going of the season, and benefited from their defensively charged opponents.  They will face an offensively charged 76ers team in mid November. With the Sixers sandwiched by two games against the perennially disappointing Phoenix Suns, don’t expect the Lakers to rally in this one.

    The Los Angeles Lakers have no perimeter game, so they need to win the game in the paint. The problem? They must do it against Joel Embiid.

    That’s not happening. Not with all the Ball family on the court simultaneously.

    20. 118. 93. Final. 105

    Summary

    The Philadelphia 76ers enter the five game road trip with a hope to emerge at or better than .500.  Based on this game by game analysis, the 76ers will do just that, returning to Philadelphia with an 8-6 record and aiming at a six game homestand against some very formidable opponents.

    While 8-6 is not a championship record, it is a very strong base for a young team which improves with each game. Once more, the team hasn’t had the benefit of a top pick prospect nor a solid role player. Plus, the ignominious exclusion of both Jahlil Okafor and Nik Stauskas from the rotation.

    Next: 5 teams who should trade for Jahlil Okafor

    The Philadelphia 76ers are indeed a playoff team, perhaps a better team than most want to admit. While this may not be “their year”, it is a statement season indeed.

    Road warriors? You bet. Anyplace, anytime, anyone.