The Sixers are 47-23 and hold a one-game lead over Brooklyn for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. With two games left on the schedule — both at home, both against the Orlando Magic — odds are Philadelphia will keep hold of the No. 1 spot heading into the playoffs.
That said, there is still much to be learned over the last two regular season games. Or, if not learned, much to take into account as the postseason looms on the horizon.
Here are some storylines to keep an eye on.
Sixers storyline to watch: Rest, rest, and more rest
The Orlando Magic are not very good at basketball relative to other NBA teams. In fact, Orlando is arguably the least intimidating team in the NBA, right in the conversation with OKC and Detroit. Orlando traded half its team at the deadline, and the other half is injured. Both games should be fairly winnable, thus ensuring Philadelphia’s spot atop the East.
Ideally, that means the Sixers can take hold of Friday night’s game swiftly and surely. If the Sixers have an insurmountable lead come the second half, that would mean more rest for Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and other key players ahead of the postseason. If the Sixers win Friday, then Embiid and Co. shouldn’t even sniff the court in Sunday’s season finale.
Embiid’s health is paramount to the Sixers’ success, and his inability to stay on the court has been a postseason issue before. If Philadelphia has any hope of winning the East (and the championship), the starters need full batteries. A few days rest between now and a hypothetically easy first-round series would put the Sixers in a good position. God forbid they need to play to win on Sunday.