Predictions for a big Philadelphia 76ers 2019-20 season

4. The Sixers to finish top-three in field goal percentage

For the second straight year, the Philadelphia 76ers finished eighth in the league by shooting at a 47.1 percent clip from the field. This is a marked improvement from the 2016-17 season, when the Sixers finished a woeful 27th overall while hitting at a 44.0 percent clip overall.

Given the players at their disposal, it came as no surprise that the Sixers’ primary avenue to scoring came within five feet of the rim. Overall, their 63.8 percent shooting clip from this range ranked fourth in the league, with Joel Embiid’s 66.0 percent clip and Ben Simmons’ 65.0 percent shooting returns from this range leading the way.

Certainly, the addition of Al Horford will not hurt the team in this department, particularly from the mid range. A career 52.5 percent shooter from the field, Horford connected at a 53.5 percent clip last season, albeit on a low volume of 10.6 attempts per game.

Notably, his 53.0 percent return from 10-19 feet was exceptional, especially given the Sixers’ as a team shot at a 40.4 percent clip from this range last season.

Ultimately, where the Sixers’ finish for the season in field goal percentage could be determined by their second unit. With the likes of Mike Scott, Trey Burke, James Ennis III and Furkan Korkmaz all primarily perimeter gunners, this could realistically decide the overall efficiency in which the Sixers execute at the offensive end of the floor.