Sixers vs the NBA Play-In Tournament Teams
Its’ time for the NBA Play-In Tournament! The way it works is the 7th and 8th seeds play each other to determine the 7th seed. The 9 and 10 seeds battle it out and the winner moves on to play the loser of the 7 vs 8 game. The winner of that game would become the 8th seed and face your Philadelphia 76ers in round 1. Confused? Maybe this graphic can help you. Could any of these teams knock out the Sixers in Round 1?
#10 Charlotte Hornets – Record: 33-39
All we have here is the LaMelo Ball effect in my eyes. He could be the type to elevate his game when the stakes are high but he is too inexperienced to make a run this year. The Hornets have lost 5 in a row to end the regular season and have won just 3 of their last 10. The Charlotte Hornets don’t even have a punchers chance at beating the Sixers. If they make it in as the 8th seed, the Sixers sweep this series to go 7-0 vs the Hornets this season.
#9 Indiana Pacers – Record: 34-38
The Pacers are led by Allstar PF/C, Domantas Sabonis, who is having a career year this season. On the offensive end, he averages 20.3 PPG, 12 rebounds, and 6.7 assists but the issue for him lies on defense. Myles Turner who is listed as questionable for tonight’s game could provide that defense but won’t be enough to beat the Sixers in 7 games. The Sixers struggled in 2 of the 3 contests vs Indiana but those 2 games Joel Embiid didn’t play. Tough games but Sixers in 5!
#8 Washington Wizards – Record: 34-38
The Wizards are a very intriguing team given the star power of Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal. They started slow and looked like a sure fire lottery team early on going 6-17 but have played much better hence the 34-38 record. I guess this team could get hot and win one or two in a series but won’t be enough. Beal has a hamstring injury as well that isn’t going away. Sixers take this in 5 maybe 6.
#7 Boston Celtics – Record: 36-36
Ah the team that swept the Ben-less Sixers last year in the bubble. Jaylen Brown is now out for the season but the Celtics still have Kemba Walker and Jason Tatum. Marcus Smart always seems to cause the Sixers trouble but they have no one to matchup with Joel Embiid. They won’t even have much of a homecourt advantage to steal one with an expected 12% capacity allowed in TD Garden. If the Celtics get out of the Play-In as the 8, the Sixers return the favor. Sixers Sweep the Celtics!
So there you have all 4 potential first round matchups. Honestly, I didn’t realize how truly awful these records actually were until I did this article. The way the standings shook out it looks like the Sixers avoid the Heat in the second round as well so the path is there. Sixers knocked out in the 1st Round? Not a Chance.
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Freddy Burns
Co-Host & Writer for Edge of Philly Sports
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Photo Credit: NBA Analysis
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