The Philadelphia 76ers potentially gained a seeding advantage by defeating the Orlando Magic 103-91 on Friday night. Philadelphia’s next four contests, however, serve as a chance to shape its postseason outlook in a jampacked Eastern Conference.
The 76ers (21-15) will launch a back-to-back against the Toronto Raptors (23-16) at 6 p.m. EST before a rematch on January 12th. Philadelphia will then return to Xfinity Mobile Arena for two games against the Cleveland Cavaliers (22-18). This four-game stretch provides the 76ers the opportunity to gain ground in the standings while positioning themselves to win regular-season tiebreakers that could dictate their seeding.
Philadelphia is in fifth place 0.5 games behind Toronto and one ahead of Cleveland, meaning a first-round playoff series with either could be possible. While this week may be a postseason preview, the 76ers have a chance to escape this part of the standings entirely. They trail the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks, who both hold a 24-14 record, by just two games for the second seed.
Here’s how Philadelphia can get there:
ON TORONTO
While mostly everyone’s attention will be on the Philadelphia Eagles this evening–and rightfully so–the 76ers may crack open another three-game win streak. Brandon Ingram (thumb) and Scottie Barnes (knee) are questionable tonight after missing the Raptors 125-117 loss to the Celtics on Friday while RJ Barrett (ankle) is out. With Toronto potentially down its three leading scorers, Philadelphia must seize this.
Joel Embiid is the only 76ers player listed on the injury report, as he’s questionable with left knee injury management. He played in Philadelphia’s last six games, with his injury report listing being a precaution. While Embiid may play tonight, he is yet to play in back-to-back contests this season and that’s unlikely to change, meaning the 76ers and Raptors splitting these upcoming games is possible. That would be par for the course as they split their first two meetings of the year.
While Toronto’s offensive process may fluctuate with injuries, its goal remains the same: playing to the strengths of its personnel. Ingram and Immanuel Quickley are the only two potentially available players who attempt at least five three-pointers per game. Otherwise, the Raptors generate scoring opportunities by executing handoffs, cutting, and finding rollers. They’re most formidable in transition, as they score the fifth-most fastbreak points in the NBA using their sixth-rated defense to create them.
ON CLEVELAND
If Philadelphia successfully navigates Toronto’s fierce defense, its reward will be a Cavaliers team that’s starting to find its footing. Cleveland is 6-4 in its last 10 performances, with Darius Garland’s continued availability playing a factor. His ability to generate offense has taken pressure off Donovan Mitchell, who is averaging 29.8 points–the fourth-best league-wide.
The 76ers fell to Cleveland 132-121 on November 5th in their first meeting of the season, but both teams were disadvantaged. Philadelphia was deprived of Embiid, Paul George and Dominick Barlow while the Cavaliers were without De’Andre Hunter and Max Strus, who has yet to debut due to left foot surgery. Similar to the 76ers, injuries plagued Cleveland early in the season, causing it to hold the sixth seed after claiming first place last season, but it’s starting to get healthy and look the part.
Mitchell’s shot creation and Garland’s playmaking have led the Cavaliers to attempt the third-most threes in the NBA. Cleveland aims to play with pace to generate those advantages, which it has done as of late, ranking sixth and seventh respectively in offensive rating and pace in its last 10 outings. Point-of-attack defense is a lasting struggle for the Cavaliers, however, as they lack adequate wing defenders to fend off dribble penetration. This is something Maxey and VJ Edgecombe can look to exploit as they have been.