Philadelphia 76ers Season Preview, Win Total Prediction and Playoff Odds

Let’s address this head on. The Philadelphia 76ers and Ben Simmons are not getting along. They’re most likely headed for some type of divorce, throwing a big wrench into “The Process.”

Simmons and the Sixers haven’t been the same since Philadelphia lost to the Atlanta Hawks in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Doc Rivers and Joel Embiid seemingly threw Simmons under the bus after being an offensive liability for the entire series, but specifically in Game 7 when he passed up a dunk to pass to a cutting Matisse Thybulle. 

Since then, it's been trade demands, threats of a holdout and shots taken through the media. Either way, the season starts in less than a month and Philadelphia is still trying to capitalize on its championship window -- or whatever is left of it. 

The Sixers are going to be a much different team than the one that earned the No. 1 overall seed in the East last year, but how will they ultimately stack up. 

All odds listed are via WynnBET.

Philadelphia 76ers Win Total |  50.5 (Over -108/Under -112)

Asking Philadelphia to win 51 games in a much improved Eastern Conference is going to be a tough ask, especially if Simmons holds out. Every NBA fan wants Simmons to be dealt for Damian Lillard, but until that happens Philadelphia will just have to hope Simmons decides to play for them. 

If he doesn't, and leaves Embiid to captain the ship alone, expect the Sixers to go under their win total. Embiid is a possible MVP candidate, but asking him to carry and facilitate the offense by himself is a big ask. 

The Sixers need a big jump from Tyrese Maxey, who showed flashes during the postseason that he could be a viable starting point guard. While Maxey grows into his role, Seth Curry should be a calming presence for the 76ers. 

Doc Rivers is going to have his work cut out for him if he wants to have the 76ers maintain their level of play without an All-Star. While I don’t think the Sixers will fall off the map, winning at least 51 games seems ambitious right now. 

Philadelphia 76ers Playoff Odds

The Sixers have -2500 odds to make the playoffs, which gives them the third-shortest odds in the Eastern Conference to make the playoffs. I have no doubt about whether the Sixers will make the playoffs. The question is “How far will they go?”

Philadelphia has a chance at the title as long as Joel Embiid is there in his prime. However, if Simmons -- or another star -- isn’t there, they will have no chance to win a championship. With the Heat, Bulls, Hawks and Knicks all getting better, there is a legitimate chance the Sixers could go home in the first round -- with or without Simmons. 

The 76ers have a lot of variance about how their season will finish. Yet the outcome is based off the “Ben Simmons Variable.” If Philadelphia can somehow make things right, a deep playoff run will be back on the table. 

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