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The start to Philadelphia's season hasn't exactly gone to plan (or has it? Tanking jokes!). Philadelphia is 0-10, and over the past three games they've been beat down by Dallas, kicked away a win against Houston (I'm here all week, try the veal!), and were dominated by San Antonio on Monday.
But the 76ers winless ways can change tonight against the Boston Celtics, not only because math is on their side, but who the hell knows when they'll win again.
According to numberFire, here is the Sixers win probability against their next nine opponents, including the Celtics:
Date | Away | Home | Sixers WP |
11/19/14 | Boston Celtics | Philadelphia 76ers | 44.11% |
11/21/14 | Phoenix Suns | Philadelphia 76ers | 33.43% |
11/22/14 | Philadelphia 76ers | New York Knicks | 27.82% |
11/24/14 | Portland Trail Blazers | Philadelphia 76ers | 29.99% |
11/26/14 | Brooklyn Nets | Philadelphia 76ers | 37.84% |
11/29/14 | Dallas Mavericks | Philadelphia 76ers | 35.42% |
12/1/14 | San Antonio Spurs | Philadelphia 76ers | 28.83% |
12/3/14 | Philadelphia 76ers | Minnesota Timberwolves | 27.16% |
12/5/14 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Philadelphia 76ers | 34.28% |
The guys at numberFire were also kind enough to let us know the Sixers now have a 2.6% chance (up from 1.8%) chance to break the 0-18 record previously set by the Nets. Philadelphia narrowly avoided being on the wrong side of history last season with their 26-game losing streak, but may not be so lucky this time around unless they can take down the Celtics.
Boston is coming off a heartbreaking 118-114 loss to Phoenix monday, where a late Avery Bradley turnover cost them the game. Jeff Green led the Celtics with 28 points on 10-17 shooting, and is averaging just under 20 points a contest this season. He'll be a tough task for Luc Mbah a Moute to contain. The Sixers will also have to deal with the tremendous playmaking skills of Rajon Rondo, who finished Monday with 14 points, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds.
Combating him in the starting five tonight will be Michael Carter-Williams, as the former Syracuse guard informed media today he expects to start for the first time this season. After a rough showing in Houston, Carter-Williams bounced back against San Antonio with 16 points on 7-14 shooting and 4 assists. Nerlens Noel will also start tonight alongside Henry Sims, after coming off the bench the past three games.
Philadelphia has the best chance in a while to win a game. If they can't, you may want to shield your eye over the next eight games.