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NBA: Underperformers and overachievers for Week 23

By Jerran Anderson

Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images /
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Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images /

Overachiever: Philadelphia 76ers

Barring an epic collapse, the Philadelphia 76ers are on their way to their first playoff appearance since the 2011-12 season. At this juncture in the season, they’re playing for seeding and equally impressive is how well they’re playing as a unit.

The Sixers are currently fourth place in the Eastern Conference (40-30). They have won four games in a row and are 7-3 in their last 10 contests. As another month comes to an end, Philadelphia is 8-3 and surging at the right time.

If the playoffs began today, they would own home-court advantage over the fifth-seeded Indiana Pacers, something that could be useful in a seven-game playoff series. The Sixers are 17-19 on the road and 23-11 at home this season.

A big part of their success has been the play of rookie point-forward Ben Simmons. Simmons registered his ninth triple-double of the season in Philadelphia’s 108-94 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night.

He’s gotten some competition from Utah Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell for the Rookie of the Year crown this season. Given his body of work, it’s hard to see Simmons not winning it, again barring an epic collapse by the Sixers.