Set to play their final regular-season game before the NBA Playoffs begin, the #1 seed Sixers will take on the Orlando Magic.
Following Friday night’s victory, the Philadelphia 76ers’ regular-season goal of securing the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference is officially complete. Tonight’s rematch against the Orlando Magic has absolutely zero implications on the Sixers seeding, as they’ve outright clinched home-court advantage throughout the entirety of the postseason.
With that in mind, some of the team’s key players are expected to take a much-deserved night off. At least according to The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey, seven Sixers players are currently being listed on the injury report, including the likes of Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Danny Green, Seth Curry, Furkan Korkmaz, Shake Milton, and Matisse Thybulle.
This could obviously change as we get closer to two-off (I wouldn’t be too surprised to see someone like Tobias Harris appear on the report as well), but that’s what we’re working with at the moment.
In regards to the physical game that’s going to be played tonight, expect some of the team’s rising young players to get some serious run this evening. Tyrese Maxey has been finding his offensive rhythm as of late and should benefit from a heightened workload this evening. Standout second-round picks Paul Reed, and Isaiah Joe should also get starting-caliber minutes.
Additionally, late-season acquisitions Anthony Tolliver and Gary Clark are likely in line for a hefty minutes increase during tonight’s season finale. Doc Rivers is still experimenting with Tolliver as a backup power forward/floor-spacing center, and Clark was only added a few days ago.
Using tonight as a “showcase” for either player should help Doc Rivers determine if either player should be in like for playoff minutes later this month.
For the first time all season long, do yourself a favor and just sit back and relax tonight. There’s absolutely nothing to stress about; just soak up all those Maxey minutes one final time this season. There will be plenty of stress and anxiety to go around during the playoffs to make up for one game of chill vibes – I promise.
Celebrate the Sixers clinching the top seed in style with some new Sixer slides from FOCO!
