This past Saturday night, the 76ers defeated the Detroit Pistons 118-104 to win their 8^th straight game and inch closer to clinching the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference. The “magic” number is down to 2 for the Sixers to clinch first place. That means the Sixers need to win 2 more games to secure the best record in the East, something they have been striving for since the season began.

During this 8- game winning streak, the Sixers handled business and beat the lesser teams, as they should have. They won their first 3 games by a combined 97 points with the starters mostly resting the entire 4^th quarter. They had a few hiccups on the streak as well, having to gut out victories against the San Antionio Spurs and an undermanned New Orleans Pelicans squad.

With the Sixers trying to pull away from the Bucks and Nets for the top spot in the East, Ben Simmons returned from injury to help push the pace and get this team back on track while Joel Embiid continued to dominate like an MVP front runner. If this team can get 2 more wins or a combination of losses from the Bucks and Nets, the Sixers can begin to rest their starters during the remaining 4 games. I do know that the Sixers will not rest any starter until first place is locked up.

Here are some quick thoughts from the last few games and what I expect from this team going forward:

• Ben Simmons has an official game winner on his resume. His tip in with no time remaining against the Spurs helped the Sixers pull out a victory.
• It looks like Ben Simmons may have pulled in front of Rudy Gobert for Defensive Player of the Year officially. The NBA released its DPOY ladder and Simmons was ranked first with a week to go.
• Speaking of defense, Matisse Thybulle should be first team All-Defense. He wreaks havoc on defense while he is on the floor. He is really a difference maker and will be a major key for the Sixers moving forward in the playoffs.
• The Sixer’s bench has had its ups and downs this season and the last 8 games have been a microcosm of this. All season, Doc has the tendency to play all bench lineups and I don’t think that is something he can stick to in the playoffs. There needs to be 1-2 starters in with members of the bench. Doc may be able to get away with this in the first round, but not so much as the opponents get better.
• The Sixers’ remaining schedule includes games at the Pacers and Heat and at home against the Magic (twice). I think the Sixers can win out, but it depends on what else is happening around the league and if the starters can rest.
• With the play-in tournament, the Sixers still have no idea who they will face in the first round of the playoffs. They can realistically play the Hawks, Heat, Celtics, Hornets, Wizards, or Pacers. Stay tuned this week on my rankings on who the Sixers would least like to face in the first round.
• Tyrese Maxey has been playing really well and I can see Doc using him in the playoffs if the second unit needs a spark.

As the playoffs draw closer, we get closer to what this team has worked for all year. I have one thing to say to all the fans out there. The playoffs will not be easy, but this team believes they have what it takes to win it all. We have to ride with them until the wheels fall off. “If you scared, get a dog”.