With all-star weekend now in the past, all that remains are the last 27 games of the season.
Despite the 76ers struggling mightily on the road with only nine wins in 28 games, there’s an opportunity to move up the standings.
Leading up to the break, the Sixers had the third-toughest schedule in the NBA. They have the second easiest schedule the rest of the way.
It would be very disappointing if they didn’t make a legitimate push for a top-three seed in the Eastern Conference.
Eyeing up the Heat
Heading into their first game back from the break Thursday at home against the Brooklyn Nets, the Sixers are within striking distance of the fourth seed Miami Heat.
The Sixers tail the Heat by only 1.5 games, the Sixers should have plenty of time to catch them.
It’s vitally important to pass the Heat and move up the fourth seed since it would determine home-court advantage for the first round.
Philadelphia is a league leading 25-2 at home, while the Heat are 22-3 at American Airlines Arena.
Meanwhile, both teams are below .500 on the road.
If these teams were to meet up in the opening round of the playoffs, home-court could determine the winner of the series.
Jump into the top three?
The road to catch the Boston Celtics, who currently hold the third seed, is a little more difficult.
The Sixers trail the Celtics by 4.5 games, and the Celtics have a game-in-hand over the Sixers.
Unfortunately for the Sixers, they won’t see the Celtics again in the regular season. They won the season series 3-1 and won both games at home by double-digits.
It may be too much to overcome, but it isn’t impossible.
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