Predicting Each Game Left on the Sixers’ 2020 Schedule
At 38-26, the Sixers sit 1 game out of the win column for 5th place in the East.
With 18 games remaining to climb the standings, the Sixers have an extremely easy slate ahead of them (on paper).
The team only has to play away from the Wells Fargo Center seven times; only one of those matchups is against a current playoff team (Memphis). As tumultuous a season it has been so far, in all likelihood, the Sixers will finish the regular season with a record right on par with the last couple seasons: 52 and 51-win marks.
Regardless of the win total, this team records after 82 games, at the end of the day playoff success or lack thereof will be the trial which will go a long way in determining the future of Brett Brown, Elton Brand, and the players.
March 11th – 21st: (DET, IND, WAS, TOR, @CHA, ATL)
Prediction: W/W/W/L/W/W (5-1)
Back at home for 5 of their next 6, the Sixers should be able to rack up wins and improve their league-best 28-2 home record. Hopefully, Joel Embiid can return at some point during this stretch, although he shouldn’t be needed. However, the Raptors will certainly be a tough test, and March 18th just feels like a date suited for another heartbreaking loss.
Overall, this upcoming third of contests should be the easiest; there’s no real excuse to lose more than one game.
March 24th – April 3rd (@MIN, @CHI, PHX, POR, HOU, @WAS)
Prediction: L/L/W/W/W/W (4-2)
After a comfortable stint at home, consecutive trips to Minneapolis and Chicago seem like the perfect storm to put this team into a temporary lull, reminding fans how abysmal they’re capable of performing away from home. Fully anticipate career nights from rookies Jarrett Culver and Coby White. After a couple brutal losses, the rumblings of a “players-only meeting” in their Chicago locker room will circulate via Woj/Shams at 2:37pm. Consequently, a nice 4-game win streak – including a 132-103 rout of the Rockets -will temporarily soothe the concerns of fans.
April 5th – April 15th (ORL, MIL, @SA, @NO, @MEM, CHA)
Prediction: W/L/W/L/W/W (4-2)
The final six games of the regular season should be interesting to watch, particularly how the team handles the top dogs of the East and their final road trip of the season. A healthy Sixers squad dismantled the Bucks at home last Christmas, but a foreseeable absence of Ben Simmons will be the difference in a loss the second time around.
Three straight road games against teams who will likely still be vying for the 8th and final playoff spot out West won’t be cupcake contests by any means but expect the Pelicans specifically to give the Sixers fits when they attempt to close out a back to back.
Final Regular Season Record: 51-31
Things just currently appear to be too fitting for the Sixers to end the regular season with the same record as last season.
A drastically different roster season to season, but quite capable of producing the same 82-game result. However, the narrative post-playoffs will be whether an identical (or very similar) regular-season record equates to just seven postseason wins once again.
Featured Image: Cary Edmondson/USA TODAY Sports Graphic
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