Following the All-Star Weekend (where the team was a no-show), the Philadelphia 76ers can now re-shift their focus to the looming trek awaiting them. Still in dire need of a breakthrough, the team will need so much more than just an uprising to make real noise to end the season and hopefully make the playoffs.
So, what’s in it for the 76ers after the All-Star break? Here is everything you need to know ahead of the team’s hunt for the postseason.
76ers injury news: Brace for a nightly surprise
Outside of Jared McCain, who remains lost for the season with his torn meniscus, the 76ers somehow do not have a lasting player on the injury report as of writing. Of course, Joel Embiid will be on the list on a near nightly basis given the team’s conservative approach on his availability. Tyrese Maxey, Eric Gordon, and Kyle Lowry are currently dealing with respective minor ailments.
One thing to take note of is the fact that the 76ers will have four back-to-back sets to end the season, which is actually not a robust number all things considered. Pencil Embiid in as a non-participant on one leg of those sets.
Easy schedule? Philadelphia ought to capitalize
Tankathon has the 76ers having the fourth-easiest remaining schedule in the league, which looks really good for their chances to make the play-in tournament at the very least. Only 12 of their finals 28 games will come against clubs currently boasting winning records.
Having said that, Philly has shown an uncanny ability to lose to any team on a nightly basis under any condition, advantageous or not. Hence, them making the postseason will still boil down to better play acorss the board, especially in clutch situations.
76ers playoff odds look grim at the present
ESPN’s Power Index is currently giving the 76ers a 16 percent chance of making the playoffs (not just the play-in), which is actually generous for a team parading a 20-34 record. Nevertheless, they are only 1.5 games behind 10th-place Chicago which, in turn, is looking at a much tougher slate than Philly to end the season. More importantly, they will try to bottom out as much as they can to jockey for better lottery positioning.
However, getting past 10th place would be difficult. Miami, currently ninth, is 5.5 games ahead of Philadelphia. In all likelihood, the 76ers would have to win twice on the road in the play-in tournament to shock everyone and make the playoffs.
How should the 76ers approach the end game?
With the 76ers brass clearly uninterested in trying to lose out and potentially get a top pick in the draft, the team has no choice but to do everything it can to make their hunt worthwhile by actually reaching their immediate goal, which is to make the playoffs.
But to do that, in-house improvement is a must. Joel Embiid and most importantly, Paul George, have to be a lot better, and Tyrese Maxey needs to continue stepping up in tight games. Furthermore, the team’s slew of role players will need to ramp up their production even more to give this squad a fighting chance to get to the playoffs.
The front office could always seek external help via the buyout market to improve their prospects, but ultimately, the Philadelphia 76ers just have to get better in every facet of the sport. At least, they are still in control of their destiny.