Philly Front Office

Yesterday, the Brooklyn Nets spent over two hours wrapping the perfect gift to give to the Sixers, but when the time came to deliver it, the Sixers just didn’t show up to the party. Seeing that a present was on the table and no one was around to accept it, the Toronto Raptors sent their worst players over to steal it. That gift, a 122-114 win against the Hawks, brought the Raptors back to within 1 game of the 5 spot, with the Sixers remaining a half game out in 6th.

I cannot begin to describe how infuriating it is to know that the Nets only have so many possible wins remaining on the schedule and the Sixers let this one happen without taking advantage. The Sixers defeated the Mavericks 130-125, while the Raptors lost to the Blazers 105-102. The big difference in the two contests was that the Raptors again refused to play their best players at the end of the game, while the Sixers closed with their starters. Maybe it is splitting hairs and trying to fit my team into a righteous narrative, but this tactic shows a pretty awful situation brewing in Toronto. Whereas the Sixers are not playing Tyrese Maxey at all, at least while the game is being played Nick Nurse is trying to win. Toronto is starting its best players (and keeping Brandon Ingram out for good measure), but keeping them out of the 4th quarter, essentially their coach is TRYING TO LOSE THE GAME. How is this ok with the gambling world the NBA is tied too? Aren’t they manipulating the final score??? So, this is lifetime ban for Jontay Porter (also of the Raptors) but not for the team itself??? I don’t understand.

Lottery Odds

Thanks to refusing the gift delivery, instead of having sole possession of 5th place, the Sixers sit with the 6th best lottery odds. This one stings.

(Odds courtesy of Tankathon.com)

1 – 9%

2 – 9.2%

3 – 9.4%

4 – 9.6%

5 – 0%

6 – 8.6%

Total – 45.8% chance to keep the pick (16.3% decrease)

Playoff Odds

The Magic Elimination Number still stands at 11 thanks to the Bulls not playing and the Sixers winning.

(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 – 2%

11 or worse – 98% (1.25% decrease)

Odds of winning the play-in and making the playoffs – .3% (increase of .2%)

For those who just want to watch the world burn:

53.9% chance of missing the playoffs AND not keeping a draft pick (increase of 16.65%)

Games to Follow Coming Up

Numbers in parenthesis is the number of games ahead and behind the Sixers in the standings. Sixers record is 22-44 with 16 games to play.

March 17

• Sixers at Houston – Second half of a back to back. Please Houston, have no mercy.
• Detroit at New Orleans (-5.5) – The dream is almost over.
• Chicago (+5) at Utah – The Jazz have made it very clear that they are not f’ing around. The elimination number could be down to 9 by the end of the day.
• Toronto (+.5) at Phoenix – Do not expect anyone to even start this game for the Raptors