The Philadelphia 76ers will face three Western Conference foes before the real games start.
The NBA’s re-start plan in Orlando features three scrimmages for every team prior to the resumption of regular season basketball. Each scrimmage will take place between teams staying in the same hotel. The goal was to avoid probable first-round matchups at all costs.
These scrimmages, while not inherently necessary — and maybe even a bit careless given the surge of coronavirus cases in Florida — could go a long way in getting players back into competitive shape. Several players haven’t touched a basketball in three months.
For the Sixers, it will provide extra opportunities for lineup experimentation, as well as a chance for Ben Simmons to get his feet back under him after extensive rehab for his back. The Sixers expect Simmons to be 100 percent, but caution remains important.
The NBA’s scrimmage game schedule — with Clippers, Nuggets, Heat and Pelicans all opening play on July 22: pic.twitter.com/znph78RAWW
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 4, 2020
The Sixers will face three fringe contenders in the Western Conference: Memphis on July 24, Oklahoma City on July 26, and Dallas on July 28. The most formidable opponent — at least from the Sixers’ perspective — is probably Dallas, if only because of Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. OKC also matches up well with Philadelphia.
Of course, these scrimmages have no bearing on the final standings, so it’s unlikely the Sixers (or any team, for that matter) will go full speed. Expect Brett Brown to tinker with lineup configurations and get everybody on the court. There’s a lot to figure out.
The real work begins on August 1. Until then, the Sixers should focus on health and chemistry. The starters should play in these games — it’s important to get the core lineups familiarized with one another — but only in limited minutes. The scrimmages are test runs. Nothing more.
Philadelphia’s scrimmages will take place between the HP Field House and The Arena, two of the three stadiums at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports complex. The NBA, as of this article’s publication, has not provided TV details with regard to scrimmages.