The Philadelphia 76ers are riding a three-game road losing streak.
The tale of two teams. One is a ferocious defender of its home turf, bullying the visiting franchises into submission, forcing them to play their brand of basketball to their advantage. The other, a shell of itself once the crowds become foreign, cheering on their home team, causing the dungeon dragon to lose their identity in the process.
The Philadelphia 76ers have, for the last two years, been two different teams. One that has been virtually impossible to beat in South Philly, and one that has teams run them off the court when they leave the comforts of home. It is a very puzzling Jekyll and Hyde act that has ensnared the Sixers. Even more puzzling when you consider the transformation of Joel Embiid from top three center in the NBA, to maybe one of the top ten players in the league overall. Embiid is having his best season as a pro. And the Sixers are wasting his brilliant play by dropping games on the road.
Now, maybe this is an aberration. Check the standings. No team in the Eastern Conference has a winning road record except Indiana and Chicago. And they are barely .500 on the road. So, its clear that everyone is struggling. But, for the Sixers, the issues on the road are historical. Last year, the Sixers had the worst road record relative to their home record since 1955. Horrible. Combining last year with this year’s current record, Philadelphia is now 19-34 on the road. Compared to a home record over the last two years of 42-6.
This will not get it done in the playoffs. At this rate, the Sixers would be better served to do all that they can to keep the top seed in the East and have home court advantage. That’s the only way that they’ll have a chance. Doc Rivers and the coaching staff have to come up with something that will turn the tide for Philadelphia. Championship teams know how to go onto opposing teams’ court and get wins. If the Sixers have any dreams of getting to an NBA Finals, fixing their road woes is of upmost importance.
We’re more than one third of the way through an already truncated season. The Sixers still haven’t figured it out yet. And there isn’t enough time on their side.
Something has to give. And quickly…