3 realistic goals for Philadelphia 76ers in 2021 NBA Playoffs

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 20: Joel Embiid #21, Shake Milton #18, Furkan Korkmaz #30, and Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers react along with Semi Ojeleye #37 and Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics at the Wells Fargo Center on January 20, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Celtics 117-109. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

1. Win first NBA championship since 1983

The Sixers will enter the 2021 playoffs as one of the favorites to win this year’s title. They’re tied with the Milwaukee Bucks for the fifth-best odds (+800), trailing only the Brooklyn Nets (+210), Los Angeles Lakers (+500), Los Angeles Clippers (+600) and Utah Jazz (+600).

The draw couldn’t have broken more favorably for the Sixers, who are guaranteed to avoid the Bucks, Nets and Miami Heat until the Eastern Conference Finals. While the New York Knicks or Atlanta Hawks likely wouldn’t be pushovers in the conference semifinals, the Sixers should be clear favorites against either team.

They have their sights set even higher, though.

“We have everything we need, and we have what it takes to win a championship,” backup center Dwight Howard told reporters in late February.

Howard and Green won last year’s championship with the Los Angeles Lakers, so they know what it takes to emerge as NBA champions. Backup point guard George Hill played in the 2018 NBA Finals with the Cleveland Cavaliers, too.

That postseason experience should pay dividends, but the Sixers will largely need Embiid, Simmons and Tobias Harris to carry them to the promised land for the first time since 1983.

Unless otherwise noted, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac.