Toughest Stretches on the Schedule for the Sixers

By Sean Kennedy (@PhillyFastBreak)

RIP Brett Brown’s beard

Even for Sixers fans who consider themselves staunch supporters of the Process, it’s been a rough few years. As much as you try to find small signs of hope and little idiosyncrasies to enjoy, it’s no picnic watching a team lose night after night over 82 games.

On top of simply losing a lot of games, the Sixers have also had a knack for going on excruciatingly long losing streaks the last three seasons. Philadelphia lost the first 18 games last season, the first 17 the year before, and struggled to the record-tying 26-game losing streak back in 2014-15.

Although the team is projected to improve more than any other in the league this season, a year around 27-28 wins still doesn’t exactly scream juggernaut. Let’s take a look at the toughest stretches of the season where the team could potentially hit the skids (the number to the right is the opponent’s projected win total).

Compressed Schedule

vs. Pacers Nov. 11 – 43.5

at Hawks Nov. 12 – 43.5

at Rockets Nov. 14 – 41.5

vs. Wizards Nov. 16 – 42.5

at Timberwolves Nov. 17 – 41.5

This is the hardest stretch of the year simply by virtue of the calendar, as the Sixers play 5 games in 7 nights, all against teams expected to be .500 or better. This week is actually preceded by games against Cleveland, Utah, and another against Indiana, so there’s a chance for a long losing skid.

Have to Hope for Home Cooking

vs. Raptors Jan. 18 – 49.5

vs. Trailblazers Jan. 20 – 46.5

at Hawks Jan. 21 – 43.5

vs. Clippers Jan. 24 – 53.5

vs. Bucks Jan. 25 – 39.5

This portion of the schedule is slightly easier than the one above, as it’s a more manageable 5 games in 8 nights, and 4 of the games are at home. Still, it includes a pair of back-to-backs with the most winnable game against a decent Bucks team on the tail end of one of those. This stretch also includes the annual game where the Clippers come to the Wells Fargo Center, dunk on everyone, and win by 30.

Head West, Young Sixers

at Trailblazers Mar. 9 – 46.5

at Clippers Mar. 11 – 53.5

at Lakers Mar. 12 – 25.5

at Warriors Mar. 14 – 66.5

vs. Mavericks Mar. 17 – 39.5

This group contains 4 teams fighting for spots in the Western Conference playoffs…and the Lakers. Even the Lakers contest is a road game on the tail end of a back-to-back though. Seeing the Oracle Center rocking while the Golden State superteam unleashes hell from downtown should be one of the highlights of the season from a basketball standpoint, even if not from a scoreboard perspective for the Sixers.

On the Road Again

at Pacers Mar. 26 – 43.5

at Nets Mar. 28 – 21.5

vs. Hawks Mar. 29 – 43.5

at Cavaliers Mar. 31 – 57.5

at Raptors Apr. 2 – 49.5

The Pacers and Nets games are the final 2 of 5 games on the road, tied for the longest road trip of the season. Brooklyn is obviously the glaring possible win, but as the last game on the road trip, as part of a back-to-back, it shouldn’t be necessarily counted upon as a W. All other games come against Eastern Conference playoff contenders, including the lone trip to Cleveland of the season.

Simply by virtue of an 82-game season, all teams have difficult portions of their schedule. Given how young the Sixers roster is, we’ve seen in past years how a few losses can affect the team’s confidence and snowball into a larger stretch of poor play. That’s why it’s especially important navigate these tricky section of the schedule and prevent that from happening. The veterans Bryan Colangelo has brought in should be expected to help the team focus and stay the course.