Despite being out for 29 games, Joel Embiid is determined to help the Philadelphia 76ers secure a spot in the playoffs.
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Despite being out for 29 games, Joel Embiid is determined to help the Philadelphia 76ers secure a spot in the playoffs. The team is currently seventh in the Eastern Conference and gearing up for the play-in games. However, they have a chance to climb to the No. 6 seed if they win against the Orlando Magic on Friday night.
The 76ers (45-35) have been killing it lately, bagging six straight wins to get within a game of catching up with sixth-placed Indiana and fifth-placed Orlando in the East.
If they beat the Magic (46-34), Philadelphia and Orlando would both have the same records. However, the Sixers would have the upper hand because they’ve swept the season series 3-0.
The Pacers, who are also 46-34, are up against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday. They’ve got the edge over Philadelphia by winning two out of three games against the 76ers this season. So, even if Indiana loses, the most Philadelphia can hope for on Friday night is to secure the sixth spot in the conference standings.
For the 76ers, Covington and Lowry will not be playing the game. Besides, Maxey and Melton are questionable to play the game. As for the Magic, there are no confirmed injuries and almost all players are available for selection. However, Wagner might sit this one out.
In Embiid’s comeback game, the NBA MVP champ hit the court for 29 minutes. Then, he clocked 33 and 23 minutes in the following games before hitting 36 against Detroit. Even though Philly’s secured their spot beyond the regular season, Embiid’s not easing up one bit.
The Magic have dropped three of their last four games, including a 117-99 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday. Cole Anthony led Orlando with 23 points coming off the bench, while Paolo Banchero chipped in with 20 points, six rebounds, and six assists against Milwaukee.
Banchero understands that the Magic need to step up their game if they want to hold onto a top-six seed and skip the play-in tournament. Orlando wraps up the regular season at home with another showdown against the Bucks on Sunday.
The Magic struggled with turnovers on Wednesday, coughing up the ball 16 times and giving the Bucks 27 easy points. Coach Jamahl Mosley is crossing his fingers that his team doesn’t carry those same blunders into their game against Philadelphia.
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