Sixers vs. Pacers: 3 things to watch for in first seeding game

2. Embiid’s gait

O captain, my captain! If the Sixers are a clipper, then Embiid is steering the vessel. All of Philadelphia’s hopes and aspirations rest disproportionately on Embiid’s shoulders. He’s a top-10 player, he’s the hub of everything the Sixers do, and he’s the crunch-time scorer, to boot. The Sixers need Embiid in tip-top shape if title contention is in any way realistic.

Embiid reportedly reported to Orlando “training camp” in the best shape of his career. It was therefore a bit unnerving to see him succumb to calf tightness after just 12 minutes of a half-speed scrimmage. He went on to miss the Sixers’ final two scrimmages.

The Sixers’ star 7-footer will gear up for this game, however. Embiid is not on the injury report, and all indications are that his “tightness” was nothing more than a minor inconvenience. The Sixers’ response was born from abundant caution, not crippling concern.

Even so, it’s important to see how physically sharp Embiid is in this game. He has a favorable matchup, so he should attack early and often. The Pacers don’t have an answer to him inside. Embiid was solid in his 12 minutes of scrimmage action, but even then, he was a bit flustered in the post. The Sixers need him to come out of the gates strong.

At this point, there’s no reason to panic about Embiid’s health. But if he looks sluggish in this one, then looks sluggish in a few weeks, then we can start the unavoidable (but necessary) dialogue.