How do the Philadelphia 76ers stack up against the East with Tobias Harris?
Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets are a team that the 76ers seemed to play every other night to begin the season, which means we won’t know how our current rosters matchup until a March 19 matchup in Charlotte. The 76ers are 3-0 to start the season series, with 2 wins coming in OT, and the third coming by just 2 points.
With a roster that is centered around All-Star starter Kemba Walker, the formula to beat them is fairly clear. Stop Walker and it is going to be a good night for your team. Despite the fact that Waker is having a career best season, averaging 24.7 points to go along with four rebounds and five assists, the Hornets are one game below the .500 mark at 26-27.
Against the 76ers, Kemba Walker has been almost unstoppable, averaging 42 points per game, including a career-best 60-point effort in mid-November. With the new acquisitions of Butler and Harris, it is plausible to assume that the 76ers should be able to control Walker on the defensive end, while overpowering the rest of the Hornets roster offensively.
Despite close wins against Charlotte earlier in the year, the 76ers are 3-0 in the season series for a reason. They are simply a better team. Charlotte may be able to steal a home game in a 7-game series, but they aren’t capable of beating this team 4 times. A matchup with Charlotte isn’t probable, but a jump by either the 76ers or Charlotte could lead to a first round bout. The Hornets are a team the 76ers would be very to see in the first round.