The Sixers could potentially have 4 1st round picks in the 2015 draft, and in the waning days of this season, 3 of them are hanging in the balance. The Lakers sit in 4th spot, while their pick owed to us is top-5 protected. The Thunder sit in the 18th spot, and their pick is conveyed to us if they finish 19th or worse (better?). And then the Heat sit in the 15th spot and we get their pick so long as they finish out of the top 10.
There's plenty of scoreboard watching for Sixers fans any night, but tonight you don't have to go far past the Sixers-Hornets tilt for some intrigue. While the Heat are currently 5 places out from keeping their first round pick, they are bunched up with the Celtics, Pacers, and Hornets, with all 4 teams only being separated by 2 games. This coming on the heel of another DWade injury (sounds like he is going to try to play through it though).
The point being, that Heat pick is no sure thing, and whether or not that pick is conveyed to the Sixers is likely coming down to the wire. Ideally some of the Eastern Conference teams bunched up with the Heat jump them (obviously the 11th pick would be nicer than the 15th pick), but I wouldn't mind some of these teams being out of the picture entirely.
So lets send these Hornets packing and make ourselves feel better about that Heat pick. I know most people feel the Sixers need to lose as much as possible, but I feel confident that, at this point, we're likely going into the Lottery in the 3rd spot, so lets pile up some late season feel-good mojo.
Of note, Nerlens is getting the nod at PF again tonight, but perhaps even more interestingly is that Furkan is getting his 4th start of the season. It wasn't too long ago that I would've sworn Furkan wouldn't be back next year, but after showing some real rebounding prowess, I could definitely be wrong (SAY IT AIN'T SO HANK SIMS!!) Still lots to watch for in these last few games.
Game Notes:
- Nerlens lost out to Chicago's Nikola Mirotic for Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month of March. Totally lame.
- Man, if you didn't think it could get worse for Lance Stephenson in Charlotte, you we're wrong. "Born Ready" has had a DNP-CD in the last 2 games, with coach Steve Clifford saying he can't find a lineup that works with Lance. Ouch. My fantasy team remains unamused.
- The Sixers will be starting 3 rookies tonight, one game after starting 4 rookies. Youth movement indeed. (h/t @KeithPompey)
Projected Lineups:
Sixers
PG Ish Smith
SG Robert Covington
SF Jerami Grant
PF Nerlens Noel
C Furkan Aldemir
Hornets
PG Kemba Walker
SG Gerald Henderson
SF Jeffrey Taylor
PF Marvin Williams
C Bismack Biyombo
Injuries: Sixers: Joel Embiid (Out, Foot), Tony Wroten (Out, right knee), Isaiah Canaan (Out, Foot), Jason Richardson (Knee, Out), Thomas Robinson (Ankle, Out)
Hornets: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Ankle, Out), Cody Zeller (Shoulder, Out), Al Jefferson (Knee, Questionable).
Prediction: The Hornets are terrible. They don't deserve this win and they surely don't deserve any playoffs hopes. Sixers take it 101-91.
