Philadelphia 76ers: 3 pivotal subplots over the final 25 games

2. It all starts with defense

The current seven-game winning streak exemplifies the importance of defense to the success of the Sixers.

Over this recent stretch, the Sixers have led the league in defensive rating, registering a remarkable 97.3 rating. To put this in perspective, the Boston Celtics currently lead the league with a rating of 100.9. During this span, the Sixers’ starting lineup of Ben Simmons-J.J.Redick-Robert Covington-Dario Saric-Joel Embiid has recorded the absurd rating of 79.4, with a net rating of +44.0.

A similar story happened earlier this season, when the Sixers put together a 9-2 run from Dec. 30 through till Jan. 26. In posting a defensive rating of 97.5, the Sixers ranked second to the Celtics in this department during this period. Overall, the Sixers currently rank third with a rating of 102.6 — a notable improvement from last season’s rating of 106.4, which ranked 17th overall.

As was the case last season, the Sixers’ success at the defensive starts and finishes with Embiid. Over the course of this season, the Sixers are 6.2 points per 100 possessions better off on the defensive end when Embiid is on the floor.

In contrast to the Sixers’ impressive defensive stretches have been some periods of underwhelming performance. From Dec. 4-23, the Sixers recorded a 1-9 record accompanied by a defensive rating of 105.7, which ranked 16th during this time. Furthermore, the Sixers’ 1-4 start to the season was accompanied by a defensive rating of 104.6, ranking 16th overall.

Bottom line: the difference in their defensive rating during their wins and losses has been profound:

• 30 wins: 96.1
• 25 losses: 110.4

The Sixers’ recent performance against the Miami Heat was a prime example of their defensive capabilities. Trailing 62-39 at the main break, and with Embiid sidelined for the game, coach Brown was asked following the game what his message was to his team:

"“We have enough firepower in this room to come back, but nothing will happen unless we guard. And our defense – we held them to 40 second-half points….but we felt that within this room, we have enough firepower offensively. But nothing can happen unless we have just some level of sting to our defense.”"

With a defensive rating of 118.4 in the first half, the Sixers turned this around dramatically by registering a rating of 88.1 in the second half. Despite Embiid’s absence, the presence of the likes of Covington and Simmons, with their length and ability to get into the passing lanes, should ensure the Sixers can maintain a solid level of defense even with Embiid off the floor.