The Sixer Sense
Fansided

5 reasons Philadelphia 76ers defeat Miami Heat in round one

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA,PA - MARCH 26 : T.J. McConnell #12 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers walk off the court during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Wells Fargo Center on March 26, 2018 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA,PA - MARCH 26 : T.J. McConnell #12 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers walk off the court during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Wells Fargo Center on March 26, 2018 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA,PA – MARCH 26 : T.J. McConnell #12 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers walk off the court during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Wells Fargo Center on March 26, 2018 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA,PA – MARCH 26 : T.J. McConnell #12 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers walk off the court during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Wells Fargo Center on March 26, 2018 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Despite the Philadelphia 76ers’ regular season record of 2-2 when facing the Miami Heat, the Philadelphia 76ers will advance to round 2 of the NBA Playoffs. Here are 5 reasons why

The first stop for the Philadelphia 76ers efforts to succeed in the NBA Playoffs is to scout the opponent thoroughly. But the season series, a four game season series, reveals that the home team won each game. And that resulted in a Sixers pair of wins with compared to two wins for the Miami Heat. But one of the worst things to do in forecasting is to simply look at what was and allow that simplistic view to dictate what will be.

There are many ways to break down the upcoming Miami Heat versus Philadlelphi 76ers playoff series.  Ken Jaskulski takes a comparative approach of the season between the teams’ major components. In his analysis, he views the teams in a virtual dead heat with the 76ers winning in seven games.

Perhaps not as close as all that

Yes the Philadelphia 76ers are young newcomers to the NBA Playoffs, but they did not squeak in by a last minute buzzer beater. This was a very young and unfamiliar team which entered the 2017-2018 NBA season with nearly no momentum or foothold to establish a winning streak. Nearly no momentum.   You see, the team did know that 2016 NBA top pick Ben Simmons was returning to health. So too was 7-foot-2 center sensation Joel Embiid. And finally, the team had the benefit of the 2017 NBA Draft top pick.

But as all of the ingredients mingled together, it took time. Rookies take time to acclimate to the speed of play, the skillsets of teammates, and the fury of opponents. All the while, the 76ers learned on the fly against some of the toughest teams in the NBA. Other NBA teams, those built upon veterans and the same roster year after year, never experience that awkward phase of the season. But all this brings us to the big finale: the NBA Playoffs. how will the 76ers do? Well, they will advance to round two, and here are 5 reasons why: