NBA: 5 x-factors heading into the final 20 games of the regular season

NBA Philadelphia 76ers Shake Milton (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
NBA Philadelphia 76ers Shake Milton (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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NBA Philadelphia 76ers
NBA Philadelphia 76ers Shake Milton (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Shake Milton, Philadelphia 76ers

In the recent absence of Ben Simmons and Josh Richardson – as well as Joel Embiid – there hasn’t been a player that has stepped up the most than Shake Milton. Well, considering that no one really expected this from Milton.

However, entering Saturday night’s game with the Warriors, Milton has averaged 19 points per game on 60 percent shooting from the field and an absurd 66 percent shooting from 3-point range over the last seven games. He’s been a huge shot in the arm for a team that has been down three starters over the last few contests.

While the Sixers have continued to struggle in terms of their W-L record, dropping four of their last eight games, I’m not sure where the team would be right now without Milton stepping up. Plus, if he can continue to replicate some similar performances, perhaps they’ve found another key rotational player heading into the playoffs.