Philly Front Office

Full disclosure, I was watching the Raptors and Magic last night. I tried watching the Sixers, but that outcome was happily inevitable. Instead, Toronto was doing its best Philly impression, and it was gut wrenching until it was glorious. Up 9 with about 8 minutes to play, the Raptors took out Scottie Barnes, their best player. They also removed Jacob Poetl and Immanuel Quickley, 3/5 of their starters. They would not re-enter the game. Instead, RJ Barrett ran the show and, wow, he is infuriating. He would alternate playing great with missing free throws. A lot of free throws. He was 3 of 6 in the last 5 minutes! Anyway, they nearly blew a 12-point fourth quarter lead until rookie Ja’Kobe Walter heaved in a ridiculous 3 to take the lead with .5 on the clock. Raptors win 114-113. Their next 5 games are against the dregs of the league including March 12 against the Sixers.

The Sixers also lost while Quetin Grimes looked good. Maxey didn’t play and neither did Paul George despite him logging 30 minutes. Unfortunately, despite keeping it close the Bulls lost to the Cavs, the Pelicans were Pelicants against the Lakers, and the Nets were throttled by the Wemby-less Spurs.

Lottery Odds

Even with the heorics in Orlando, the standings did not actually change last night except inching ever closer to the 5 spot. The Sixers remain tied for 6th. Along with the Nets, they are now only 1.5 games behind the Raptors.

1 – 8.25%

2 – 8.5%

3 – 8.75%

4 – 8.85%

6 – 4.3% (Odds split due to tiebreaker)

Total – 38.65% chance to keep the pick (no change)

Playoff Odds

Even with the standings remaining unchanged, there was a HUGE shakeup in the actual playoff odds with the Raptors jumping over the Nets and Sixers. Sixers remain 2.5 games behind the Bulls for 10th.

(Note: If the Sixers qualify for the play-in but don’t end up making the playoffs, they still have a chance to win the lottery)

Per Basketball Reference, our current odds to finish in each place are:

10 or better – 14.4%

11 or worse – 85.6% (2.7% increase)

Odds of winning the play-in and making the playoffs – 2.4% (decrease of .5%)

For those who just want to watch the world burn:

58.95% chance of missing the playoffs AND not keeping a draft pick (decrease of .5%)

Games to Follow Coming Up

Numbers in parenthesis is the number of games ahead and behind the Sixers in the standings. Sixers record is 21-40 with 21 games to play.

March 5

• Utah (-6 games) at Washington (-9.5) – Both are barely on our radar, but it is a lean slate when it comes to crap basketball tonight.

March 6

• Chicago (+2.5) at Orlando – Watching the Magic last night, Paolo Banchero is very good. No way Chicago wins this.
• Philly at Boston – Why even play? Just take our L and get the hell out of Boston ASAP
• Golden State at Brooklyn (Even) – Hey Jimmy Butler, how about you don’t show up for this one like you didn’t show up in Philly? That would be tremendous.
• Houston at New Orleans (-4.5) – The Pelicans have to catch someone napping, right? You are at home guys, do something!