Sixers

The Philadelphia 76ers can't predict how far they'll take their season this year, but one thing is for sure, they are bound to make the 2022 NBA Playoffs.

Unlike last year, Maxey won't enter the playoffs as a reserve that's in and out of the rotation. Therefore, Maxey has to be well-rested and on his A-game when the Sixers begin the playoffs next month. Then when you need the rest, you got to take the rest. In addition to the two All-Stars, Rivers revealed that the second-year guard Tyrese Maxey could also see some rest down the stretch as well. Hopefully, we’ll be playing deep into the playoffs so you got to be as fresh as possible. When the Sixers met for a Saturday afternoon practice session, Doc Rivers addressed the media afterward.

It's no secret that Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden is a guy who does enjoy going out to bars and clubs to try and relax outside of basketball.

Harden will have to bounce back from his poor performance. It’s no secret Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden enjoys going out to bars and clubs to relax outside of basketball. I know this city.

Here's a quarter-by-quarter breakdown of my observations from tonight's 116-114 nail-biter Sixers win over the Orlando Magic.

The Sixers cut the deficit to one with 5:30 left. Then an Embiid three puts the Sixers up and Embiid is screaming with excitement. The Magic fight back and widen the lead back to nine. Embiid appears to be coming in after the break with the Sixers down four. Somehow, after sleepwalking in the first half and on really bad shooting nights from the field for Embiid and Harden, the Sixers escape with the win. Q4: A Markelle Fultz stepback three puts the Magic up 10 with 10 minutes left. Sixers continue to stagger Harden and Embiid. Sixers closing the first with Harden-Milton-Harris-Niang-Jordan. Really hope Harden can get it going tonight. The Sixers have some work to do. Embiid is 4/15 out of the gate. Matisse Thybulle picking up three first half fouls against the Magic with Danny Green out is something that just can’t happen. Really nice start to the first from Tobias, who nets 7 of the Sixers’ first 8. Q2: Sixers are just getting thoroughly out-hustled by this hungry Magic team on the road and it’s showing on the scoreboard.

The Philadelphia 76ers needed somebody to step up and make a big shot. They found themselves trailing the pesky Orlando Magic 113-111 in overtime after ...

but we had spurts in the game that we picked up our intensity and our play. That allowed Harris to get into position and he took advantage of the opportunity to come through in a big moment. “He deserves all the accolades and praise that come his way after a performance like this.” He is one of the highest-paid players on the team and that is something that gets used against him all the time. With Harris standing in the corner, he was ready to make the play. It was a game where he had to step up with Embiid shooting 9-for-28 and Harden at 5-for-19.

The Philadelphia 76ers are set to return to the court on Sunday night after getting the last two days off from games. When the Sixers entered their ...

A couple of days later, it was revealed that Green needed stitches. Late in the first half, Green suffered what seemed to be a hand injury, which sent him to the locker room early. When the Sixers entered their Thursday night primetime matchup against the Brooklyn Nets, they missed one of their key reserves in Danny Green.

The Sixers have struggled to unearth the best version of Tobias Harris this season -- especially since the James Harden trade.

And that piece is the one that’s going to kill the Sixers in the playoffs, whether that’s KD and Giannis going at him on D or his unwillingness to catch-and-shoot. Obviously, picks would have to be sent around, and the Sixers might be forced to deal one of their young prospects like Jaden Springer or Paul Reed. But that’s the idea. Some critics might chalk that dropoff up to James Harden’s appearance, but those who have watched any Sixers minutes since the break can see that the dropoff is due to a lack of effort on the boards from Harris. Let’s presume that he can get that number back to 5.0 rebounds per game. And the statistics back that up. That begs the question, not if he’s worth his extremely lucrative contract (he’s not), but if he’s a positive addition to this Sixers roster. Since the All-Star break, Harris has been pulling down a meager 4.7 rebounds per game. However, he is the one that is holding the Sixers back going into this year’s playoffs. His lack of ability to fill the role that the Sixers need him to with where the team stands. That’s the biggest issue with Harris and his fit with the team. This means that the organization is spending $37 million a season on someone who doesn’t want to fill the role that the team needs him to. His new talent, paired with Harris’s shooting woes this season, moved Harris back into the third option in our option. In that four position, we need someone unselfish, who can rebound, defend, cut to the rack, and hit 3s every so often.

Sixers Bell Ringer regular season standings: Joel Embiid: 28. Tyrese Maxey: 15. Seth Curry: 8. Tobias Harris: 4. Andre Drummond: 3. James Harden: 2.

His quick trigger remains highly valuable and he’s been a seamless fit alongside Harden. In seven games with Harden, Niang is averaging 10.4 points and shooting 20 of 41 beyond the arc. Despite the wretched 8-of-26 shooting performance, Embiid was still quite good against Orlando. Aside from a few lapses defensively, he dominated that end of the floor, especially as a rim protector and team defender. With Matisse Thybulle marred by foul trouble and generally struggling, Niang stepped up to see 36 minutes and featured in the majority of crunch-time play. He was very good Sunday and the Sixers needed every bit of it to secure the win. Orlando’s priority was containing Embiid and James Harden, so Harris took advantage of the opportunities stemming from that. When the ball swung his way, he was decisive attacking downhill, punished mismatches and buried a trio of long balls.