Sixers: 5 notable games on 2021-22 schedule

5 notable games on the Sixers’ 2021-22 schedule: Heat (Dec. 15)

The Sixers’ decision to spurn Kyle Lowry at the trade deadline, however justified, essentially facilitated his neat-and-clean arrival in Miami, where he will now team up with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. The Heat also acquired P.J. Tucker, who will round out an elite, versatile defense.

There’s a good chance Miami is straight-up better than Philly next season. If not, they’re at least in the same tier. Jimmy Butler is still a top-12 or 13 NBA player, while Adebayo and Lowry provide two All-Stars to flank him. Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro are bonafide off-movement shooters, Victor Oladipo is a tantalizing wild card, and Erik Spoelstra is arguably the best coach in basketball.

“Heat Culture” gets overblown, but with a roster of well-known workhorses who all fit hand-in-glove next to one another, it’s hard not to have high expectations for Miami — a team that made it all the way to the Finals in 2020. That was a year ago!

For Philadelphia, this is another critical litmus test. The Nets and Bucks are crème de la crème, but it’s Miami and Atlanta who the Sixers need to be definitely better than. If the Sixers can separate themselves from the pack — from the middle-tier contenders — then that’s a good sign. It may not guarantee them a championship, but it makes them a more believable threat.