The Sixer Sense
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12-9 Sixers set to win 46.9 games

By Darryl Bishop

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 18: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on in the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at the Wells Fargo Center on November 18, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 18: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on in the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at the Wells Fargo Center on November 18, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Winning isn’t everything? Try telling that to the Philadelphia 76ers fans, who have waited patiently for a winning season. So far, that season is now

The 12-9 Philadelphia 76ers are set to win 46.9 games (=12/21*82), if they continue at that rate throughout the season. This would amount to 12 games above .500 and a middle seed in the playoffs (currently they are seeded fifth in the East).

More from The Sixer Sense

Stats are from basketball-reference.com.
They have played 10 home games (6-4) and 11 road games (6-5). The schedule was difficult as they had to play conference leaders 19-4 Boston twice and 17-4 Houston twice. They also played the world champion 16-6 Golden State Warriors twice, as well as 15-7 Cleveland, 14-6 Detroit and 13-7 Toronto. The team’s record against these teams was 2-7, while they were 10-2 against the rest of the league.

Injuries still haunt the 76ers

Markelle Fultz played four games with a shoulder injury and has missed the last 17 games.
Joel Embiid missed three games under load management restrictions. His minutes were restricted in his first 10 games. He says that his conditioning level is not 100 % yet.
Richaun Holmes missed the first eight games with a broken wrist.
Jerryd Bayless missed six games with a sore wrist.
Justin Anderson has missed the last seven games with shin splints.
JJ Redick missed two games with a back injury.
Ben Simmons missed one game with a sore elbow.
TJ McConnell missed one game with a shoulder contusion.
Nik Stauskas missed eight games with a sprained ankle.
With three players injured at the same time, the Sixers activated Center James Michael McAdoo and point guard Jacob Pullen several times from the Delaware 87ers.

Inexperience is holding the 76ers back

The team is still inexperienced, as they lead the league in turnovers (17.5, league average 15.3) and personal fouls (23.9, league average 20.5) per game. However, the team looked much better recently against the Magic (11 turnovers, 22 fouls) and the Cavs (12 turnovers, 18 fouls).

The team also ranks 29th in free throw percentage (71.1 %, league average 76.5 %). Ben Simmons is the biggest concern with a 56.0 free throw percentage rate. You may recall the strategy of the Washington Wizards in a recent win was to hack at Simmons mercilessly.

Outlook

The team is suffering growing pains, but is talented enough to easily make the playoffs.

Related Story: Do Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid have GOAT potential?

The starting five seems to be set as Joel Embiid, Dario Saric, Ben Simmons, Robert Covington and JJ Redick have been playing between 30-39 minutes per game. They seem to be gelling both offensively and defensively. They all are capable of scoring 30+ points in a game. Except for Redick, they are double-double threats. The Sixers lead the league in rebounding (49.6 per game, league average 43.5), while limiting opponents to 43.1 rebounds per game.

When Fultz returns, the team will receive an offensive boost with the backup unit.

Embiid has averaged only 29.6 minutes per game. As he begins to play without minute restrictions and as his conditioning improves, the team will benefit tremendously.

Next: It’s time to give Richaun Holmes a chance

With the toughest part of their schedule behind them, the Sixers will look forward to dominating mediocre teams. Recently, they outrebounded the 11-10 Washington Wizards 64-35. They also defeated the 9-13 Orlando Magic 130-111 without Ben Simmons. And they held the Portland Trailblazers to 81 points.

As the team continues to grow, gel and get healthy, we can expect them to dominate the rest of the season.