The Sixer Sense
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NBA Playoffs today? Philadelphia 76ers face Cleveland Cavaliers

By Bret Stuter

CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 1: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers hug before the game on March 1, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 1: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers hug before the game on March 1, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Is there a strategy at stake as the Philadelphia 76ers close out their season? For example, what are the chances if the Philadelphia 76ers face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Playoffs?

The Philadelphia 76ers are the 6-seed in the NBA Eastern Conference right now. And so, for the moment, that means they face the 3-seed. As a matter of fact, as of March 17, 2018  that translates into the Philadelphia 76ers meeting the Cleveland Cavaliers. Is that a good or bad matchup for the Philadelphia 76ers? Let’s discuss.

Well, we know that this Cleveland Cavaliers team is not the same team who won the NBA Championship. And we know that those same Cleveland Cavaliers lie waiting to face the Philadelphia 76ers on April 6, 2018. That game will likely have huge repercussions over the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs picture.

Season history

So far this season, the Philadelphia 76ers are 1-2 against the Cavaliers. But it was the Cavaliers before-trade-deadline roster which held the mastery over the young Sixers team. But the 76ers won the only meeting against the new-and-improved Cavaliers roster 108-97. It was that win which sparked ire on the Cavaliers roster as Dario Saric scored on a late game layup unintentionally.

But since we’ve already raised the issue of the Sixers bench woes, let’s see out the team’s bench performed in those past three games.

Date       W/L              Cavs bench scored     76ers bench scored
Nov 27    L                   57 points                      30 points
Dec  9      L                   48 points                      27 points
Mar 1       W                 37 points                      25 points

As you can see, the Philadelphia 76ers bench woes have been a problem all season.

Better matchup than you think

The Philadelphia 76er are a very young team, so regardless of the draw, this team will find post-season basketball unfamiliar territory. Much like teams in the NCAA tournament throughout March Madness, the distractions of so much attention in the stands and media can distract the team and make focusing more difficult.  And how many of you disregarded the prophetic words of Joel Embiid on 97.5 WIP a year ago?

But the Cavaliers will be going through their own wholesale roster changes heading into the playoffs. And while it’s quite clear that veteran LeBron James will play at an entirely different level, the remaining Cavaliers will be hit or miss on any given night. The 76ers won, not because they outplayed LeBron, but because they held the Cavs to under 30 percent shooting from the perimeter.  In post season, LeBron will get his 30-plus points a game. The trick is denying other Cavaliers from doing the same.  This Cavaliers team no longer has a 1-2 punch of LeBron and Kyrie Irving.

Related Story: Philadelphia 76ers President Bryan Colangelo focus on winning today

What a series! What an education!

The Philadelphia 76er will not snuff these Cavaliers in four games. The hope is that the 76ers create enough problems for the Cavaliers that they don’t walk away in four games either. In their one win, the 76ers limited their turnovers, worked hard for rebounds, and did a solid job defending the perimeter. In fact, new additions point guards George Hill and Jordan Clarkson combined for 6-17 shooting from the floor and 0-6 from three-point range. That has to be the norm in the playoff series for the Sixers to hope for advancing.

Next: What position should Ben Simmons play?

But in a similar fashion, the 76ers entire bench scored on two of nine shots at that same three-point range. The bench needs to score, and most importantly, nail some treys, for the team to find postseason success.  But the amount of great videos coming out of a series with the Cavaliers will be a training banquet for these young players to feast upon the entire off-season.  James is a mentor for Ben Simmons. Clashing in postseason will give Simmons his Doctorate on basketball game management.  If the team advances, let’s hope it’s for home court advantage. Otherwise, I’m good with the Philadelphia 76ers facing the Cleveland Cavaliers in post season.