With the Sixers a game behind the Brooklyn Nets, they are currently in a battle for the number one seed in the Eastern Conference. With Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant back from injuries, the Nets have some real firepower; and let’s not forget James Harden, who is still out. But the Sixers have to focus on themselves: with a win against the Atlanta Hawks, the Sixers are now a game back of the Nets.

The number-one seed in the Eastern Conference is essential to the Sixers’s path to the NBA finals. The number-one seed secures home field advantage throughout the playoffs, except for the NBA finals itself. Many people believe the Sixers have an advantage with their supposedly “easy” remaining schedule. Luckily for the Sixers, the Nets aren’t as fortunate when it comes to their remaining schedule. With two games against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, the Nets don’t have it easy. And let us not forget about Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers!

The Sixers haven’t had all five starters healthy in a long time. Ben Simmons came back Monday from an undisclosed illness and, as fans know, Joel Embiid is not very dependable with his health. Tobias Harris hasn’t been himself recently as he only put up nine points in a vital game against the Bucks when it was Harris’s chance to shine with Embiid and Simmons out. The Sixers need to figure some things out; from turnovers to health concerns, this team is far from perfect. But you can’t be a perfect team in the NBA. With Doc Rivers and Daryl Morey leading the team, many fans have confidence that the Sixers led by Joel Embiid can bring a championship home to the City of Brotherly Love.