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 – APRIL 6: JJ Redick
PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 6: JJ Redick /

I. Home Court Advantage

The Wells Fargo Center has been well defended home territory by the 76ers this year. In fact, the success of the Philadelphia 76ers is surprising. The team ended the seasson with a 30-11 home record.  The last home loss was the March 13 loss to the Indiana Pacers.   After starting off the season 7-8 at home, the team has played at a phenomenal 23-2 clip.  That’s not just a run of good luck.

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    • The fans at Philadelphia are incredibly supportive of this team. Long before wins began arriving in dozens, Sixers fans proved each year that the have learned to #TrustTheProcess. Not just at home, but in NBA cities nationwide. That level of fan support has made it to highlight reels, made the news, and has prompted the 76ers to respond there and home with their best basketball.

    Heat no road team.

    The Miami Heat is also a pretty good home team. But they have not translated their success to the road. The 76ers road record was a modest 22-19. The Heat could only generate 18 wins to 23 losses. And that road record must now vie against one of the best home teams in the NBA. In the regular season, the teams split their series two wins apiece. And that split fell to whomever held the home court advantage.

    While I do not expect this series to go seven games, I do believe the younger 76ers team gets a psychological boost knowing that they have more home games. To a young team in their first postseason environment, that will prove to be a solid advantage. After all, home is where the heart is.