The Philadelphia 76ers won one of two back-to-back home games this week following the All-Star break. They fell to the New York Knicks but overcame the Cleveland Cavaliers. This week, they face two of the top teams in the East out of their three games. Both the Bucks and Celtics will challenge Philadelphia, and the Hornets will close out the week. The Sixers remain the five seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 33-23 in a tightly contested race for home-court advantage.
76ers’ Return From the Break
The 76ers hosted two straight home games last week against the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers, respectively. On Thursday, the Sixers suffered a 110-96 loss to the Knicks who are just a half-game above them in the current standings. Besides Tyrese Maxey‘s 35 points, Philadelphia’s offense was lackluster. On Friday, the team then beat the Cavaliers 104-97 in an impressive three-point shooting performance. Cameron Payne was 4 for 6 from three with 16 points, and Buddy Hield added 13 points shooting 3 for 6 from beyond the arc.
Facing the Top of the Crop
The 76ers will face some of the East’s finest teams this week. Today, they host their third-straight home game against the Milwaukee Bucks, the current three-seed. The nationally televised game could prove to be crucial down the stretch as Milwaukee is just 2.5 games above the Sixers. Philadelphia will travel to Boston on Tuesday night as they face the league’s best Celtics. The Celtics have been head and shoulders above the rest of the East, and Joe Mazzula’s squad is putting fear into the hearts of many. However, on Friday, the 76ers get a two-day break to host the Charlotte Hornets. The Hornets should be a more relieving opponent for Maxey and company to close out the week.
