NBA Season 2022-23

[ozgod]

76ers lose, looks like we're safe with the 2-seed.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Sixers slip to 4th with their remaining games.

[SparzWizard]

76ers lose, looks like we're safe with the 2-seed.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Sixers slip to 4th with their remaining games.

Maybe this could benefit us in the sense that in a 1-4 matchup between Bucks/76ers 2nd-round, both of them will be fighting each other to the death. But the C's would need to take on the Cavaliers who have not been a pushover either.

[Kernewek]

76ers lose, looks like we're safe with the 2-seed.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Sixers slip to 4th with their remaining games.

Maybe this could benefit us in the sense that in a 1-4 matchup between Bucks/76ers 2nd-round, both of them will be fighting each other to the death. But the C's would need to take on the Cavaliers who have not been a pushover either.

Would still face Cleveland ten times out of ten if both teams (76ers and Cavs) are healthy, though.

[Celtics2021]

76ers lose, looks like we're safe with the 2-seed.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Sixers slip to 4th with their remaining games.

Maybe this could benefit us in the sense that in a 1-4 matchup between Bucks/76ers 2nd-round, both of them will be fighting each other to the death. But the C's would need to take on the Cavaliers who have not been a pushover either.

Would still face Cleveland ten times out of ten if both teams (76ers and Cavs) are healthy, though.

I’d rather Philly, to be honest, but in reality the second round series is likely to be tough no matter the opponent.

[tazzmaniac]

76ers lose, looks like we're safe with the 2-seed.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Sixers slip to 4th with their remaining games.

Maybe this could benefit us in the sense that in a 1-4 matchup between Bucks/76ers 2nd-round, both of them will be fighting each other to the death. But the C's would need to take on the Cavaliers who have not been a pushover either.

I think it would be good for the Sixers.  Think they match up better with the Bucks assuming Harden and Embiid are healthy.  Tatum and Brown are a very difficult matchup given their weakness at the forward spots. 

[Moranis]

The Sixers have 2 players better than any player on the Cavs, you don't want to face that in the playoffs because those are the type of players that can almost single handedly win a couple of playoff games.  The Cavs have more depth, but depth doesn't tend to win playoff series, top end talent does.

[Kernewek]

The Sixers have 2 players better than any player on the Cavs, you don't want to face that in the playoffs because those are the type of players that can almost single handedly win a couple of playoff games.  The Cavs have more depth, but depth doesn't tend to win playoff series, top end talent does.

This is where I wind up as well.

Speaking of the playoffs - Dallas seems nearly out of the picture? Looks like they're on an accelerated version of the Kyrie program.

[Who]

The Sixers have 2 players better than any player on the Cavs, you don't want to face that in the playoffs because those are the type of players that can almost single handedly win a couple of playoff games.  The Cavs have more depth, but depth doesn't tend to win playoff series, top end talent does.

Is Harden better than Donovan Mitchell at this point in their careers?

I am not so sure about that.

[Phantom255x]

Our 2nd round opponent is going to be tough either way barring some upset (MIA/NY winning a series). Though even MIA/NY would be tricky too. I do think the same could be said for MIL though. MIL/BOS are the class of the East, but PHI/CLE aren't pushovers either, they could definitely give any of MIL/BOS a fight regardless. PHI matches up really well with MIL but not with BOS, while CLE seems to match up really well with us but not really MIL

[slamtheking]

The Sixers have 2 players better than any player on the Cavs, you don't want to face that in the playoffs because those are the type of players that can almost single handedly win a couple of playoff games.  The Cavs have more depth, but depth doesn't tend to win playoff series, top end talent does.

Is Harden better than Donovan Mitchell at this point in their careers?

I am not so sure about that.

I agree.  I'd give the nod to Mitchell at this point

[celticsclay]

The Sixers have 2 players better than any player on the Cavs, you don't want to face that in the playoffs because those are the type of players that can almost single handedly win a couple of playoff games.  The Cavs have more depth, but depth doesn't tend to win playoff series, top end talent does.

Is Harden better than Donovan Mitchell at this point in their careers?

I am not so sure about that.

I agree.  I'd give the nod to Mitchell at this point

Yeah I think just about everyone would have mitchell above harden right now. Harden is also currently injured with an Achilles which may make the gap even wider for playoffs.

[Goldstar88]

The Sixers have 2 players better than any player on the Cavs, you don't want to face that in the playoffs because those are the type of players that can almost single handedly win a couple of playoff games.  The Cavs have more depth, but depth doesn't tend to win playoff series, top end talent does.

Is Harden better than Donovan Mitchell at this point in their careers?

I am not so sure about that.

If both guys are healthy, it’s very close. Real issue is that Embid is much better than anyone on the Cavs and he is going to put a beating on Al and Rob. Cavs are more of a finesse team and I’d certainly prefer playing them.

[Vermont Green]

Our 2nd round opponent is going to be tough either way barring some upset (MIA/NY winning a series). Though even MIA/NY would be tricky too. I do think the same could be said for MIL though. MIL/BOS are the class of the East, but PHI/CLE aren't pushovers either, they could definitely give any of MIL/BOS a fight regardless. PHI matches up really well with MIL but not with BOS, while CLE seems to match up really well with us but not really MIL

I am not sure there is enough of a sample size to draw hard conclusions on who is going to match up better or not in a play off series.  Also things change.  Harden may or may not be full strength for example.

With CLE though, their strength is Garland and Mitchell.  Those are their two best players.  But they are not the players that give the Celtics problems.  We have trouble with their size.  If you look at CLE's record, they are 30-8 at home and 18-20 on the road.  They hit shots against us and pulled off a couple of close wins.  I am not sure that means they are a bad match up for us.  They are simply a good team, and Mitchell is a really good individual player.  They are a tough out for anyone.

[kraidstar]

Harden only had 16 points combined in his last two games before this prolonged absence. He scored 11,  missed a game in-between, then scored just 5 points in 47 minutes and has been out ever since.

Those numbers are alarming because achilles injuries tend to linger. If it's bad enough to where he can't play effectively through the pain, then the Sixers are toast.

[Moranis]

The Sixers have 2 players better than any player on the Cavs, you don't want to face that in the playoffs because those are the type of players that can almost single handedly win a couple of playoff games.  The Cavs have more depth, but depth doesn't tend to win playoff series, top end talent does.

Is Harden better than Donovan Mitchell at this point in their careers?

I am not so sure about that.

If he is healthy, he is.  No idea if he can be healthy though.  Mitchell is fine,but Harden really can still take over a game here or there both scoring and distributing.

The ringer a couple weeks back had Mitchell at 14 and Harden at 16, so fairly close.  I think Mitchell may be a bit more consistent, but I do think Harden has the higher top end.