The Philadelphia 76ers’ have an easy schedule in Orlando, but it’s not without high stakes.
Few teams spark more controversy than the Philadelphia 76ers nowadays. From enigmatic stars to a deeply disappointing record, the Sixers have a knack for irking fans and pundits alike. As the NBA prepares to re-start its season in Orlando, no one has a solid grasp on the Sixers’ trajectory.
A first-round defeat wouldn’t shock anyone. A conference finals appearance wouldn’t shock anyone either. Heck, it’s not unfeasible to project a Sixers championship run, even after all that has happened this season. Few teams have as much pure talent, not to mention a significant physical advantage. Flaws and all, the Sixers are a uniquely challenging matchup.
The Sixers’ schedule for the Orlando re-start has dropped, and it’s a favorable one. Philadelphia has the second-easiest schedule of the 22 returning teams. A decent chunk of opponents are fringe postseason contenders, and only one opponent is presently a top-four seed.
With that said, the Sixers still have multiple high-stakes games on the docket. Philadelphia could move as high as fourth in the East before the season’s end, and while home-court advantage is no longer a consideration, the eight seeding games will determine the Sixers’ path to the Finals.
Here are three games on the schedule that stand out.
3. Indiana Pacers (August 1)
The Pacers are fifth in the East. The Sixers are sixth. Both teams are 39-26, and the tiebreaker currently belongs to Indiana. No game has a more immediate impact on the Sixers’ seeding. It’s fitting that this is their first game back.
Philadelphia is expected to bring Ben Simmons along slowly in Orlando, which is a damper when it comes to this game specifically. He probably won’t play more than 20-25 minutes . Even so, the Sixers have a few key matchup advantages and have handled Indiana well in the past. This is a winnable game.
For what feels like the first time all season, the Sixers won’t have anyone not available when the season re-starts. Simmons isn’t 100 percent yet, but he’ll be on the court. The other four starters are healthy, and all the reserves are too. The Sixers are closer to full health than they’ve been in a while.
If the Sixers win this game, they start the “seeding games” by jumping up to fifth in the East. While many would prefer the sixth seed for various reasons, it’s tough to argue with winning games. The Sixers shouldn’t purposefully lose, and this game could have a significant impact on how the Sixers’ postseason path shakes out. It’s a must-watch.
2. Toronto Raptors (August 12)
The Sixers’ schedule in Orlando is essentially a bunch of low-tier contenders sandwiched between Indiana, Toronto, and Houston (…more on Houston in a second). The Sixers start and end with their biggest challenges, and Toronto undoubtedly marks the most difficult opponent.
The Raptors are the only top-four seed left on the Sixers’ schedule. To make matters worse, this game happens to come on the second night of a back-to-back. While the first game isn’t a frightening one — it’s Phoenix, who may be out of playoff contention by this point — it still means Philadelphia will face Toronto on diminished fuel reserves.
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At this point, it’s no secret. The Raptors have the Sixers’ number. And while a close seven-game series last summer would seem to indicate a close rivalry, the Sixers have fallen much further than the Raptors this season, even after the departure of Kawhi Leonard. Toronto has one of the few bigs who can physically handle Embiid in Marc Gasol, as well as one of the few wings who can physically handle Simmons in OG Anunoby.
Toronto can aptly defend the Sixers’ size, while also possessing more finesse on offense. Tobias Harris struggled defensively last season, and this season it’s only made worse by his occasional need to play small forward. Al Horford is no longer a trustworthy source of defense on Pascal Siakam, as was once intended. Gasol and Serge Ibaka can force Embiid to the perimeter on defense. It’s a difficult matchup all around.
The Sixers obviously can win this game, and a win here would ideally mark the culmination of a strong seven-game stretch in Orlando. But it’s not a game the Sixers will be favored in, unless the Raptors are locked into the No. 2 seed and rest their starters — a strong possibility.
1. Houston Rockets (August 14)
The Sixers finish the season with a third game in four nights, only one night removed from facing Toronto. While the schedule starts easy, the final games will provide a considerable test. Not to mention, the final games will likely go a long way to cementing the Sixers’ final seed. These games will matter.
Houston is currently sixth in the West and, like the Sixers, has a lot of room to move up in the standings. Unlike Toronto, it’s doubtful the Rockets will rest starters, even in the season’s final game. This should mark an epic conclusion to the season — an entertaining matchup between two controversial yet talented groups.
The Sixers have leaned on size all season, and while Al Horford may no longer start, the Sixers are still bigger than most other teams. The Rockets have done the opposite and leaned into small-ball, with a starting frontcourt of P.J. Tucker and Robert Covington. This is a game of clashing styles.
The Rockets will space the floor, and by extension, force Embiid to patrol outside the paint. Houston provides death by a thousand cuts. It’s all threes and layups, with a focus on pick-and-rolls, dribble penetration, and spot-up jumpers. James Harden and Russell Westbrook are a mean backcourt duo, and it’s certainly not the best matchup on paper for Philadelphia.
On the other hand, Houston has approximately zero players who can defend Embiid. Tucker and Covington are brilliant defenders, but the Sixers possess a blend of size and physicality that could overwhelm them. Simmons is one of the best James Harden defenders in basketball, and by the Sixers’ final regular season game, he may be back to full speed.
The Sixers could certainly end the season with a bang, but a third game in four nights is never conducive to fully effective basketball. These final eight games be a grind and a slog at times. Teams haven’t played in three months. This game in particular could be the Sixers’ sloggiest.