CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers already have their playoff spot locked up as they prepare to play the final six games of the regular season. They are in third place in the East and, if the season ended right now, they would take on the Brooklyn Nets in the first round.
That is where the play-in tournament comes in. The Sixers, if they remain at No. 3, would know who their opponent is so they can have the whole week to prepare for their opponent.
“I’ve only had to deal with that scenario I think one other time when I was in Utah, and I think it is an advantage for the other teams to know who they’re gonna play and game plan against them,” said Georges Niang at shootaround on Friday. “I don’t know how the seedings are going to shake up.”
The play-in tournament begins on April 11. While it is great to earn one of the top two seeds in your conference, it does hinder those teams’ preparation for the postseason. Those teams will not know who they will face until a few days before the playoffs begin on April 15.
“I think it is a bonus to know who to get to play in that scenario,” Niang added. “The play-in tournament has had some success, obviously from what I hear with ratings and stuff like that, but I think if you’re not in that discussion, with the 1 or 2 seed, you have a, I don’t want to say a better outcome, but just knowing that who you’re going to play and you have the whole week to prepare.”
The Sixers are also dealing with nagging injuries to star players Joel Embiid and James Harden. They are looking to ensure their main stars get rest down the stretch. The play-in tourney gives them extra time to rest. That applies to Niang as well, considering the knee injury he dealt with in the 2022 playoffs.
“I’m feeling good,” Niang said. “Obviously, the wear and tear of the year, your body’s a little broken down, but I feel like I’m in a good place, and so I’m happy about where I’m at. Last year, obviously, was tough with that injury and not being able to go 100% so I’m happy that I’m feeling a lot better going into the playoffs.”
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