Philadelphia 76ers must improve for NBA playoffs, but where?

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 25: Robert Covington #33 celebrates with JJ Redick #17 of the Philadelphia 76ers against the Houston Rockets at the Wells Fargo Center on October 25, 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) /

Space, the final frontier

Spacing on the basketball court translates into getting open looks at the basket. And as long as the Philadelphia 76er have Simmons, Embiid, Redick and Covington healthy, the fifth starter is a basic plug-and-play for now. Most recently, that is the role for Dario Saric, who has excelled as number five. But he is benefitting from the cast of characters around him in a big way. Here’s why:

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When Joel Embiid is on the basketball court, he pressures the paint of the opposing team. Many try to double team him, and that has some chance of success. But Embiid is solid, and can pass out to an open shooter or draw the foul. By drawing a foul, he places pressure on the depth of other teams.

Simmons pulls defenders to the paint

Ben Simmons gives the team a flexible look. He can drive to the paint but can draw defenses to him and pass out. With both Simmons and Embiid on the court, the opposing team must commit three to defend the basket, and that means one perimeter shooter gets an open look. And where do those defenders come from? The perimeter.

So space is a direct contributor to three point shooting accuracy, and driven from three point shooting attempts. At one point, this team lived and died by the perimeter shot. But with a pulse of injuries impacting major players, the 76ers have diminished that long-range assault. As of Monday, January 8, 2017, the Philadelphia 76ers attempt just 29.7 three-points shots per game. That is good for 12th in the league, a surprising spot for the perimeter shooting roster. Factoring in the Philadelphia 76ers attempt the third most shots in the NBA at 87.1 shots per game, and you see that the team is shying away from that perimeter shot. Is that a good thing?