By: Kylan Watson
The Philadelphia 76ers were reeling, they were blown out by the Wizards on February 25th and lost a very close game to the Heat on February 27th . However, this team seems like a team that likes adversity because they have won their last two games. The Sixers are looking like a team that no one wants to see in the playoffs, and if they continue to play good basketball could have a deep playoff run.
The 76ers pulled off a wire to wire victory against the Cavaliers on March 1st. When the Cavs went on a run the Sixers responded accordingly. Forward Dario Saric hit a corner three-point shot that helped hold off the surging Cavs.
The Cavs game felt like a playoff game, because the Sixers played like a team that was desperate to make a statement, against one of the best teams in the NBA. If this game was a litmus test for a potential playoff match-up, then the Sixers look like a team that can beat the Cavs in a seven-game series.
The Sixers also played the Hornets on March 2nd . The team came out very flat, but whatever Brett Brown said to his team during half-time worked because the 76ers were able to come back and win the game 110-99.
The Hornets match-up would have been a trap-game for the Sixers earlier in the season, but this team has come a very long way. When the pressure was on late in the game the players would commit a turnover or an unnecessary foul. Now the Sixers are taking over and owning the fourth quarter, and most importantly they are not beating themselves.
Over their last two games the Sixers have not been committing a lot of turnovers. The Sixers lead the league in turnovers they average 17.8 per game. It is an easy formula for the Sixers if they do not commit a lot of turnovers they will win a lot of games.
The Sixers have also been adding some much-needed depth to their depleted bench. The Sixers have added Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova. Both have added a veteran presence and some much-needed scoring off the bench. Ilyasova and Belinelli are also very reliable shooters who can take advantage of wide-open shots that they get during the game.
The Sixers have been a team that need some shooters that can hit big shots, and the additions of Ilyasova and Belinelli have been very important for the Sixers. Both have played key roles in the victories against the Cavs and the Hornets. Whether its been with scoring or forcing a turnover when the Sixers need it most. The signings of Ilyasova and Belinelli were excellent pickups by General Manager, Bryan Colangelo.
The Sixers have been playing great basketball since coming back from the All-Star break. This is a team that is playing like a well-oiled machine. They are not just relying on Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid to beat other teams, but also on a resurgent bench and some oppressive defense. The Sixers if they can continue to limit turnovers and if the bench continues playing well, will be a dangerous match-up for any team they play in the playoffs. The process has never been closer to completion then it is right now.
YES!!! The Philadelphia 76 ‘ERS are back on great quality ground that long time Sixers fans know & love. They’re finally learning how to master the art of closing out games as well. The currently rank 6th in the Eastern Conference which is wonderful compared to where they’ve been at in recent seasons over the last several years. The overall chemistry of their young roster is growing in its flourishing development. They now know what they want & are going after it. The road game they beat the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Quicken Loans Arena was proof of evidence that these Sixers are going places in life, the playoffs being one of them which I notice they have the potential for. The coaching staff also finally is working like a peoper machine with the players on this roster. I look forward to seeing them go higher than being the 6th seed now as they have the talent to accomplish.