Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers have had an interesting season. After an offseason in which they made a concerted effort to improve the supporting cast around Joel Embiid and James Harden, this is a team that has quietly operated under the radar this season in the Eastern Conference. And after a somewhat slow start to the season, the Sixers have emerged as a legit threat to win the NBA Championship.
Of course, if the Sixers are going to be considered a championship contender in the playoffs they’re going to have to remain healthy. And right now, that’s probably the biggest question mark for the Sixers heading into the final week of the regular season. If James Harden is banged up, that’s something that could end up tanking the season for the Sixers.
The big question for the Sixers when it comes to the playoffs is whether or not this is a team that can beat the Boston Celtics in a seven-game series. That’s the true test for the Sixers. In the past, they’ve shrunk in big playoff moments. Is this going to finally be the year where they don’t? They have the recipe for success. Can they put it all together when it matters most?
Verdict: Contender