NBA Betting: 3 Reasons The Philadelphia 76ers Can Make The Playoffs

The Philadelphia 76ers will exit the All-Star break facing an 8.5-game gap that they will need to close if they are going to clinch a playoff spot. For as large as that number is, a very weak list of teams they have to climb over in the Eastern Conference to get there means there is a window of opportunity that is still slightly open, with three notable reasons to believe the 76ers can still make the postseason. Get a full list of NBA futures for the 2014 NBA Finals Plus The 2014 NBA Championship Odds including The Philadelphia 76ers With SportsBetting.ag USA Mobile Sportsbook.

2014 NBA Championship Odds

Notable Reason #1: Carter-Williams Continues To Get Better

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Evan Turner and Thaddeus Young have both been solid contributors for Philadelphia, as that tandem has combined to average just over 34 points per game. Turner has averaged a team-high 17.5 points per game, while Young isn’t far behind with an average of 17.1 For as good as those two have been at the offensive end, the real stud of this group is rookie Michael Carter-Williams., who has also averaged 17.1 points to go with a team-high 6.5 assists per game. The first-year point guard has shown tremendous poise in his debut season, and he will only grow more confident as he continues to develop his game at the NBA level. Turner and Young will need to continue to play at a high level, and Carter-Williams has to emerge as a premier player in order to give the 76ers any shot at making the playoffs.

Notable Reason #2: The Defense Cannot Be Any Worse Than It Has Been

There isn’t anything good about owning the 30th-ranked defense in the NBA, unless of course you are looking at that mark as the starting point for improvement the rest of the way. The 76ers have been absolutely awful at their own end of the floor, allowing an average of more than 110 points per game.

However, Philadelphia did show signs of its defensive potential heading in to the break, and the chemistry will only get better as the team continues to work hard and grow together. The defensive numbers cannot possibly get any worse, so there is at least a slim chance the 76ers will play better at their end of the floor the rest of the way.

Notable Reason #3: The Teams In Front Of Them All Have Holes

One of the biggest reasons why Philadelphia still has an outside shot is because of the teams that are currently in front of them in the standings. The Charlotte Bobcats are currently seven games below .500, yet still they are holding down the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers have a lot of work to do and need to be much more consistent at both ends of the floor. It is still highly unlikely they will be able to turn things around in time, but if they can then the door will be open for them to jump over some mediocre teams and make a surge towards the playoffs.

Get a full list of NBA futures for the 2014 NBA Finals Plus The 2014 NBA Championship Odds including The Philadelphia 76ers With BetOnline USA Mobile Sportsbook.

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