(Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
Last night in Indiana, the Sixers picked up what was probably their best win of the season. Going by the standings, this was probably the most important game in the Sixers upcoming stretch. Last night’s dominating win against the Pacers helped tie them in the standings and will help them with tiebreakers down the road. Both the Sixers and Pacers now sit 3.5 games behind the conference leading Bucks. The Sixers did it last night on the backs of Jimmy Butler and Joel Embiid. Embiid almost didn’t play because of back tightness. Nonetheless, he still went out there and nearly got a triple double. Everyone has Giannis and Harden as the MVP leaders, but Embiid’s name deserves to be up with theirs.
Butler looked as comfortable as ever in a Sixers uniform last night. They let him play with the ball in his hands more in the 4th quarter, and it paid dividends. Just when it appeared the Pacers would make a little run, Jimmy would hit a shot or two to keep them at bay. When you look at the upcoming schedule, you realize the Sixers really needed that one. The upcoming schedule goes as follows: Thunder, Rockets, Spurs, Nuggets, Lakers, Warriors, Kings, Raptors, Nuggets, Lakers, Celtics.
They are already 1-0 during this tough stretch after last night’s win against the Pacers. The Sixers appear to be gelling at the right time. It’s imperative they win seven or eight of these upcoming games. Not only for themselves, but to show the rest of the league they will be a team to be reckoned with from here on out.
