Twenty games stand between the Philadelphia 76ers and a merciful end to this absolute catastrophe of a season.
The crawl to the finish line continues Sunday evening when the Sixers host the Utah Jazz, with neither team coming into this one under the best of circumstances.
Let’s start with the injury report... it’s a doozy.
As of Sunday morning, the Sixers will be without Paul George (groin), Tyrese Maxey (back, finger), Eric Gordon (wrist) and Kyle Lowry (hip) in addition to Joel Embiid and Jared McCain, both done for the season. Jalen Hood-Schifino is also out (G League, two-way).
It’s not any better for the Jazz side of things. Utah will be without Lauri Markkanen (back), Walker Kessler (rest), Collin Sexton (ankle), Jordan Clarkson (plantar fasciitis), Taylor Hendricks (fibula fracture) and John Collins (back). Elijah Harkless is also out (G League, two-way). Former Sixer Jaden Springer (back) and Oscar Tschiebwe (G League, two-way) are both questionable.
So, that’ll be fun! As if that wasn’t enough, the real fact of the matter is that neither team in this one exactly wants to win. Both squads benefit more from a loss at this point in their campaigns.
With the Chicago Bulls winning Saturday night, the Sixers have fallen to four games behind them for the No. 10 spot in the Eastern Conference, so any Play-In Tournament prospects are mercifully slipping out of reach.
Tankathon, it is! As of Sunday morning, the lottery standings are as follows:
The Sixers are seventh in the lottery this morning. The main teams worth focusing on right now are the ones right ahead of Philadelphia: the Brooklyn Nets, fifth, and the Toronto Raptors, sixth. Both lost last night and are off today, so the Sixers have a chance to make up some ground. Philadelphia has played less games than those surrounding teams, it’s worth noting. Sunday’s contest will be the Sixers’ 63rd game of the campaign — Brooklyn has played 63 already while Toronto and Chicago have played 64.
But, as it stands, the Nets are now one loss ahead of the Sixers for sixth lottery position after dropping their Saturday game to the Charlotte Hornets. They led the game by as much as 14 in the fourth before blowing it. Thanks for nothing, Brooklyn. The Raptors are two losses ahead of the Sixers for fifth. Those two teams are the key for the Sixers right now if they want to keep their first round pick (protected for picks 1 through 6).
Here’s how the odds for Philadelphia look at each lottery position:
5 - 63.9% to keep pick, 10.5% for first overall
6 - 45.8% to keep pick, 9.0% for first overall
7 - 31.9% to keep pick, 7.5% for first overall
Clearly, moving to that fifth spot is paramount, effectively doubling their odds at holding onto that pick compared to here in seventh.
But the Jazz have plenty of motives of their own to take a loss.
Utah is currently holding on with all their might to the No. 2 lottery position, which would guarantee them a pick in the top six and a 14% shot at first overall assuming no ties in the final standings. Right now, the Hornets are right there with them, tied for second lottery position at 15-48 as well — the Jazz are very likely not looking to concede any ground to Charlotte in the race to the top (or, the bottom in this case).
(At least they don’t have to pretend to be still trying for the Play-In...)
So, this might end up being one of the most dysfunctional games of basketball we’ve seen so far, and that’s saying something! Might as well try to find some sort of joy in the chaos — they’re going to play these last 20 games whether we like it or not.
The Sixers and Jazz squads — well, what’s left of them — will tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Wells Fargo Center.
Game Details
When: Sunday, March 9, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: The Center, Philadelphia, PA
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers