https://t.co/OujJ7oymSF
Remaining schedules
This is where things look encouraging for the Sixers. Their remaining schedule is by far the easiest in the entire NBA, and while ending the season on an eight-game winning streak and finishing at 47-35 may seem far-fetched, a quick glance at the schedule proves it is a possibility.
The Sixers' remaining schedule...
Opponent Record
at Grizzlies 26-50
at Spurs 18-58
vs. Pistons 13-63
vs. Magic 45-31
vs. Nets 30-47
Of their five games, four come against opponents who are not just eliminated from playoff contention of any kind, but at least 17 games under .500. Their only opponent who should give them any trouble is Orlando, and while the Magic have become a good and exciting team, they lack the talent that a fully-healthy Sixers squad has — and the Sixers have beaten them handily on each of the two occasions in which the teams met earlier this season.
Additionally, the Sixers only have one back-to-back, which is the set of road games against Memphis and San Antonio. It stands to reason that Joel Embiid would not play in both legs of a road-road back-to-back so soon after returning from such a serious injury, but even if he sits in one of those two games, the Sixers have more than enough firepower to take care of business.
Winning out is an extremely ambitious goal, even if it looks increasingly possible on paper. So let's say the Sixers win four of their final five contests and finish the season at 46-36. In order to usurp the Sixers and stay out of the Play-In Tournament, the Pacers would need to go 3-2 in their final five games, while the Heat would likely need to go 4-2 over their final six contests (barring tie-breaker madness).
Three of the Pacers' five remaining games come against teams fighting hard for favorable playoff seeding — including one against Miami. Their remaining slate of games...
Opponent Record
vs. Thunder 52-24
vs. Heat 42-34
at Raptors 23-53
at Cavaliers 46-31
vs. Hawks 36-41
Miami's remaining schedule, however, is a bit easier than Indiana's. Their remaining six contests are as follows...
IMO not as easy as the article says. Rockets/Pacers/Hawks/Mavs can easily beat the Heat on their day.
Opponent Record
at Rockets 38-38
at Pacers 43-34
at Hawks 36-41
vs. Mavericks 46-30
vs Raptors 25-53
vs. Raptors 25-53
We have a good shot at the 6. Gotta try to win out, or at worst lose only 1. IMO as I said in an earlier post I'd try to play Jo the back to back so he can continuing improving his conditioning. Just rest him a little bit in the back to back.
