CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers are about to embark on a stretch during which seven of their next eight games will be played on the road. This stretch will test them as they begin playoff preparation for what they hope will be a title run.
The Sixers have considerable talent with Joel Embiid, James Harden, Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris and others. To make a run, they have to come together. They have to play for each other and continue to grow and make sacrifices.
Since a frustrating 12-12 start, the Sixers have kicked it into high gear and are 33-10. They have won five in a row and are in third place in the East.
“Everybody has the same goal in mind,” said Shake Milton. “I’ve just seen a lot of guys just really get outside of themselves, and really sacrifice and do whatever the team needs to win because ultimately, that’s what everybody wants, and that’s where everybody’s eyes are.”
The Sixers have had a great deal of success, but they have not been able to advance past the second round. They have fallen in the Eastern Conference semifinals in four of the past five seasons. They have to find a way to get over the hump if they are to chase their first championship since 1983.
The failures of the past seem to be fueling this group.
“You can tell by the way everybody comes into work,” Milton continued. “Just the chemistry that we have, the camaraderie, and like I said, we’re just going to continue to focus in and hone in on each of these last 15 games we have and then get ready for what really counts.”
This stretch Philadelphia is about to embark on will be a big test of whether it is ready for the challenges the playoffs will present.
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