(Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
Joel Embiid has been out of action since the Sixers have come back from the all-star break. It has been a chance for the Sixers to show everyone they are a capable team, even without the big man. Instead, they have looked anything but capable without Embiid in the lineup. They have barely been able to skate by both the Heat and Pelicans. Saturday, they got blown out by Damian Lillard and the Blazers at home. They sure better hope that Embiid is ready to go for Thursdays game against OKC. The Sixers have a difficult six game stretch coming up.
They will play the Thunder, Warriors, Magic, Bulls, Rockets, and Pacers. The Magic and Bulls should be wins even if Embiid doesn’t play. However, the other four probably not. Without Embiid, they would lose to the Thunder and Warriors for sure. They would then probably split the Pacers and Rockets games. These games are even more important because Boston remains right on the Sixers’ heels in the standings. The Sixers are a game behind Indiana for the all important three seed. Every game matters from here on out until the Sixers can lock up the three seed.
To make matters worse, Boban couldn’t walk off the court on his own power last night. The Sixers are now without Embiid and his backup. Losing Boban coming off the bench is really going to hurt this team. Elton Brand needs to be on the phone all day, calling every available big man in for a workout. I still believe in this team and believe they can do great things this season. That is all determined by two things: one, their ability to gel by the playoffs and two, them getting the three seed. If they get the 4th seed and have to play Boston in the first round, it could be an early exit for the Sixers.
