No. 5 2018-19 Sixers vs. No. 12 1070-71 Sixers
5 seed: 2018-19
Regular-season record: 51-31
Playoff result: Lost in semifinals
Key players
Joel Embiid-This was the big fella’s most dominant season as he averaged 27.5 points and 13.6 rebounds with 1.9 blocks per game. He established himself as the best center in the game.
Ben Simmons-Simmons made the first All-Star game of his career and he averaged 16.9 points, 7.7 assists, and 8.8 rebounds. He also continued his defensive development as he is now one of the best in the game.
Jimmy Butler-Drama aside, Butler was huge for this team. He averaged 18.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists before stepping his game up even more in the playoffs.
JJ Redick-The sniper shot 39.7% from deep and averaged 18.1 points in the regular season. He did not defend well, but his offense made a difference.
Tobias Harris-Acquired at the deadline from the Los Angeles Clippers, Harris averaged 18.2 points, but he struggled shooting the ball. He could not find a real comfortable role on this team.
Mike Scott-Coming over with Harris, he shot 41.2% from deep and gave the team a real edge. After all, the man ain’t no [expletive].
12 seed: 1970-71 Sixers
Regular-season record: 47-35
Playoff result: Lost in East semifinals
Key players
Cunningham-Two years after Chamberlain was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, Cunningham averaged 23.0 points and 11.7 rebounds as he assumed more responsibility.
Greer-The point guard also had to do more as he averaged 18.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.6 assists. The impressive part about Greer being the franchise’s all-time leading scorer is that he did it without the help of the 3-point line.
Archie Clark-Acquired in the Chamberlain deal, he averaged 21.3 points, 5.4 assists, and 4.8 rebounds. He had a scorer’s mentality to help Cunningham and Greer.
Jim Washington-He was a big part of the offense averaging 13.4 points and 9.6 rebounds. He got to the foul line 4.4 attempts per game.
Baily Howell-Howell took over a role off the bench and he averaged 10.7 points and 5.4 rebounds.
Jones-Wali Jones was still around and he averaged 10.1 points per game. Six players on this team averaged double-figures in scoring.