Inside the 76ers: Getting just three more wins could be a tough task

MIAMI - The 76ers suffered their 11th straight loss Friday. Though it came without Twin Towers Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor, it's probably time to get concerned as the team closes out the season.

That's because there's a legitimate chance the Sixers (8-54) won't win three more games this season. On the surface that sounds insane, considering 20 games are left on the schedule.

One would think it would be easy to stumble upon four wins during that season-ending stretch, no matter how bad the team is. Teams bound for the postseason have been known to rest players to reenergize for the playoffs. There are also occasions when other squads stop trying in the home stretch of losing campaigns.

The latter may be something to look at in the Sixers' games against the Brooklyn Nets, Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, and Milwaukee Bucks. They have had their share of struggles.

But the Sixers haven't really been able to capitalize, posting a combined 1-8 mark against those five teams. Their lone victory was a 103-98 decision over the Nets on Feb. 6 at the Wells Fargo Center. It was their last win.

Meanwhile, the Sixers' other opponents can't afford to lose to a last-place team.

That's why the Miami Heat (36-26) played all their starters in a 112-102 victory Friday over a Sixers squad that was without Noel (bruised right knee), Okafor (bruised right knee), Nik Stauskas, and Kendall Marshall (upper-respiratory infections). The Heat are expected to do the same, even though those four Sixers did not make the trip here for the rematch Sunday at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Miami has the Eastern Conference's fourth-best record with 20 games remaining. It is 11/2 games behind the Boston Celtics for the preferred third seed. So the best way to make up ground is to win the games you are supposed to win and hope the Celtics stumble. So, as on Friday, they are going to give their 'A' effort Sunday until the victory is all but guaranteed.

The other teams in the playoff hunt will do the same against the Sixers. And for a squad thin in talent, that could lead to a harsh end of the season.

Here's a look at the Sixers' remaining opponents in order, their records, and where they stood in the playoff race before Saturday:

At Miami (36-26): The Heat are fourth in the Eastern Conference, 11/2 games behind the third-place Celtics.

Home vs. Houston (30-31): The eighth-place team in the Western Conference is just two games ahead of the ninth-place Jazz.

Home vs. Brooklyn (18-44): The Nets have the fourth-worst record in the league.

Home vs. Detroit (31-30): The Pistons are eighth in the East, a half-game behind the seventh-place Pacers and a half-game ahead of the ninth-place Bulls.

At Brooklyn: The Nets have split this season's two meetings with the Sixers.

Home vs. Washington (30-31): The Wizards have the 10th-best record in the East, a game behind eighth-place Detroit.

Home vs. Oklahoma City (42-20): The Thunder are third in the West, a game ahead of the fourth-place Clippers.

Home vs. Boston (38-25): The third-place Celtics are 11/2 games ahead of the Heat.

At Indiana (32-30): The Pacers are seventh in the East but only 11/2 games ahead of the Wizards, who are 10th.

At Denver (24-38): The 11th-place Nuggets are 61/2 games out of eighth place.

At Portland (33-30): The Blazers sit in seventh place in the West and are four games ahead of ninth-place Utah.

At Golden State (55-5): The Warriors are the best team in the league.

Home vs. Charlotte (33-28): The Hornets are sixth in the East but only three games ahead of 10th-place Washington.

At Charlotte: The Hornets are 2-0 against the Sixers this season.

Home vs. Indiana: The Pacers beat the Sixers, 112-85, on Nov. 18.

Home vs. New Orleans (23-37): The Pelicans are 12th in the West.

Home vs. New York (25-38): The Knicks are 13th in the East.

Home vs. Milwaukee (26-36): The Bucks sit in 12th place in the East.

At Toronto (41-19): The East's second-place team is two games behind the Cavaliers for the top spot.

At Chicago (30-30): Ninth in the East, the Bulls are a half-game behind the eighth-place Pistons.

So, as you can see, most of these teams are motivated to stay in the postseason race. As a result, the Sixers might have a tough time getting to 11 wins.

kpompey@phillynews.com

@PompeyOnSixers

www.philly.com/sixersblog