Joel Embiid made his season debut Tuesday night, but the Sixers fell 111-99 to the New York Knicks, dropping to a rough 2-8 on the season and starting NBA Cup group play with a loss. Philly’s back in action tonight, welcoming the undefeated Cavaliers—but Embiid will be sidelined, as the Sixers continue their plan of resting him in back-to-back games to protect his health. Without their superstar, they’re 9.5-point underdogs at home.
The Sixers’ title hopes rest heavily on Embiid’s shoulders, but it’s tough to win games when your best player is in and out of the lineup. This approach to Embiid’s playing time raises big questions about the Sixers’ ability to find the consistency and rhythm needed for a serious playoff run. Right now, they’re +2500 to win the title, +1000 to take the East, and a long +7500 to win their division at BetMGM. Given their recent track record of struggling to get past the second round, this handling of Embiid’s availability might mean another early exit. Here’s why:
Impact on Team Chemistry and Momentum
One of the biggest challenges for any contender is building chemistry, and that’s tough to achieve with Embiid missing half of the back-to-backs. The Sixers have to rotate lineups and adjust game plans on the fly, which disrupts their rhythm. This is even trickier with the addition of Paul George this offseason. With Embiid out for key games, the Sixers’ trio of stars—including George and Tyrese Maxey—may struggle to settle into roles, especially in clutch situations where someone has to take the last shot.
Increased Pressure on Supporting Players
When Embiid sits, the Sixers’ role players have to step up—players like Caleb Martin, Kelly Oubre, and Kyle Lowry. While they’re capable contributors, none of them can consistently carry the scoring load. Backup center Andre Drummond is reliable at best, but there’s a reason he’s playing for his third team in four years. Opposing defenses will also zero in on these players when Embiid is out, which can hurt the whole team’s offensive flow.
Challenge in Securing a High Playoff Seed
With Embiid’s limited availability and the added strain on role players, the Sixers’ regular-season record could take a hit. The Eastern Conference keeps getting stronger, and Philly knows from experience that a Play-In route only adds to the challenge. There’s also the risk of missing home-court advantage, which has historically been crucial for the Sixers, especially in front of the Philly crowd.
Given where the Sixers are right now and Embiid’s season-long plan, I wouldn’t rush to place any futures bets on Philadelphia making a deep playoff run.
Bet the NBA at BetMGM and get up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets! All you need to do is CLICK HERE, sign up for a new account, make your first deposit and bet! Capitalize now!
Related
