The Sixer Sense
Fansided

5 improvements the Sixers need to make for a playoff run

By Dan Volpone

MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 27: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers warms up before a NBA game against the Miami Heat on February 27, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 Ron Elkman/Sports Imagery/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 27: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers warms up before a NBA game against the Miami Heat on February 27, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 Ron Elkman/Sports Imagery/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 18: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on late in the second half of the 76ers 124-116 loss to the Golden State Warriors at 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 18: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on late in the second half of the 76ers 124-116 loss to the Golden State Warriors at 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

1. Staying aggressive with a lead

The Sixers have blown a whopping six 15-point leads this season.

When leading, they too often hold the ball until late in the shot clock, resulting in heavily contested misses once they’re finally forced to shoot. When the Sixers are ahead, they need to continue to push the ball down the floor and find quality shots early.

This might seem like nitpicking, as the team is already fifth in the NBA in pace, according to NBA.com. But when they hold the ball for too long with the lead, they lose the advantage they created by getting out and running.

According to 82games.com, the Sixers have a higher Effective Field Goal Percentage when they shoot within the first ten seconds of the shot clock. They shoot significantly worse when they take shots in the last eight seconds.

Even when the Sixers don’t have numbers, they find success pushing the ball down the floor. Just watch Ben Simmons on this play from Thursday night’s win in Cleveland.

19 seconds. That’s how much time was on the clock when Dario Saric took a wide open three. Off of a made basket.

The play starts with Simmons receiving the inbounds pass and sprinting down the court after the make. The Cavs’ defense doesn’t have time to set up, and Simmons puts them on their heels. At 6-10, when Simmons gets a full head of steam, another defender has to help.

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Saric, the inbounder, trailed the play, and when his man helped onto Simmons, he was left wide open. The play was reminiscent of Villanova’s 2016 championship-winning buzzer beater.

When the Sixers push the ball down the floor, even if it’s not a fast-break situation, good things tend to happen. Often times it results in an open three or a layup off of a strong cut to the basket.

Every game is crucial in the playoffs, and the Sixers can’t afford to give away a game by blowing another lead. If they can maintain their aggressiveness when ahead, they’ll find more efficient shots and avoid the scoreless spells that result in opponent comebacks.