Section 215
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers in perfect position to clinch No. 3 seed in Eastern Conference

By Dan Parzych

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 06: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers moves against Shaquille Harrison #3 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on April 06, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 06: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers moves against Shaquille Harrison #3 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on April 06, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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With two games remaining in the regular season, the Philadelphia 76ers are in great position to clinch the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

As important as it’s been for the Philadelphia 76ers to make sure key players like Joel Embiid and Jimmy Butler would be rested enough for the playoffs, there has been some frustration surrounding the team potentially losing the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.

For weeks, the Sixers appeared to be a lock for the slot since the Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors were strong candidates for the top two seeds, but unfortunately things haven’t been all that smooth as of late.

Between losing games on the road to the Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks along with a rough loss at home last Thursday to the Milwaukee Bucks, the No. 3 seed was all of a sudden far from a guarantee for Philadelphia.

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However, after Saturday’s 116-96 victory over the Chicago Bulls as a result of big games from Embiid and J.J. Redick, the Sixers seem to be in much better position for the third seed leading up to Tuesday’s game against the Miami Heat, especially if they receive help from the Boston Celtics.

While Philadelphia has to wait until Tuesday for that next contest in Miami, Boston is actually hosting the Orlando Magic on Sunday night in a game with all sorts of playoff implications.

Not only are the Magic trying to earn one of the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, but the Celtics are only two games back at the moment of the Sixers for the No. 3 seed, meaning one loss in their final two games would help Philadelphia clinch.

Take this into consideration with the fact that Philadelphia could easily win one of their final two games as well against Miami or the Chicago Bulls, the Sixers seem to have a pretty favorable path for that third seed, right?

Obviously, this team hasn’t exactly done the best job in recent weeks providing fans with the necessary confidence, but also if Philadelphia at least plays like they did on Saturday during the final stretch, they should be in great shape for it to happen.

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Then once that happens, the Sixers can fully focus on what will be most important, which is that first-round matchup against another top contender in the Eastern Conference getting underway next weekend.