The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers Coach Brown loves defense, and it shows

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Head Coach Brett Brown of the Philadelphia 76ers during a timeout during the game against the Miami Heat in game two of round one of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center 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 Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brett Brown
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Head Coach Brett Brown of the Philadelphia 76ers during a timeout during the game against the Miami Heat in game two of round one of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center 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 Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brett Brown /
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Philadelphia 76ers coach Brett Brown loves to stress defense. Defense wins championships. And on the Philadelphia 76ers roster, it shows

When the NBA touts defense, the Philadelphia 76ers are often considered okay at defense, but not great. Perhaps it’s due to the years of rebuilding? But perhaps it’s that “optics” that so many talk about? After all, the Philadelphia 76ers surrendered 105.3 points per game.. That’s not even in the NBA top 10.   But the Philadelphia 76ers run a fast paced offense. And that pace pushes the team into the top 10 on offense at 109.8 points per game. And with those two set, the point differential, the most important stat of all, is a +4.5.   That’s good enough for fourth best in the entire NBA.

So things have changed a bit, haven’t they, NBA?

Embiid impact

Now it’s playoff time.  And the Philadelphia 76ers are new to the hype and the spotlight, right? So the defense should suffer as a result. In four games, this defense has allowed 103, 113, 108 and 102 points.  That averages out to 106.5 points.  From 105.3 to a 106.5 post season average?  That’s actually pretty good.   But wait.  Embiid was out two games. So for the two games IN MIAMI, how was that defense?

105 points. And the 76ers average 116.75 points per game. With Embiid? 117 points per game. And that’s solid first round basketball. But who are the contributors?

Ben Simmons, Robert Covington and Joel Embiid made the cut off on total defensive rating. All three players are in the NBA’s Top-15.