76ers Win Final Regular Season Game — Will Host Miami Heat in Play-In Tournament

When the final injury report came out that listed Joel Embiid as OUT for this game against the Nets I was very confused. There were a few outcomes that could have happened today where the Sixers could have gotten up to as high as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. As it turns out giving Embiid another day off was the correct move.

The Sixers won this game with ease 107-86, and after both the Magic and Pacers victories will be the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference, and host the Miami Heat in the Play-In Tournament

While no one on the Sixers had a particularly standout game, it was nice to see Tobias Harris eclipse the 20-point mark with 21. Harris is going to be a key player in determining how far this Sixers team will go in the playoffs. I believe everyone has tempered their expectations with Tobias, but he can not be a zero in the playoffs. At the very least he needs to be an above-average defender. If the Sixers make it all the way to the Eastern Conference finals and play the Celtics, his defense on Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will be key. The Sixers are weak in the perimeter defender category and if Harris is going to be inconsistent on offense, he at least needs to be consistent on defense.

Tyrese Maxey had another good game today as he finished with 26 points. This playoff run is going to be a big one for Maxey. It is his first experience to show what he can do in a playoff setting as a team’s number two option. In years past he was the 3rd or 4th option, but the Sixers will be relying on him big time. This is also a contract year for Maxey. After this season he is eligible for a max contract extension. The Sixers also have a lot of cap space and a few picks to trade this summer. If Maxey proves this playoff run he can be a number two option on a true championship contender, then the team can go out and get more complimentary pieces around him and Embiid. If he shows that he is better suited for a three or 4 role then the team can throw all their eggs in the basket of getting that number two guy. Either way, Maxey will have every opportunity to show what he can do.

The Sixers will begin the playoffs at home Wednesday night against the Miami Heat. The Heat are a familiar playoff opponent for the Sixers, with some not-so-great recent memories for Sixers fans. As the 7 seed the Sixers will have two chances to advance to the first round of the playoffs. After a long season, it’s finally playoff time.

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