Tonight could mark the Sixers’ first series win since 2012, when they knocked off the #1 seed Chicago Bulls in six games:

At that time, it was their first playoff series win since 2003. The Sixers weren’t expected to win the series, let alone even a game. They got lucky with the injury to Derrick Rose in Game 1.

The atmosphere in the building that night was incredible, even for a team that was about to undergo one of the most scrutinized yet smartest plans the league has ever seen.

Fast forward six years. The Sixers, as a three seed, have a chance to wrap up a series many thought they would win. Instead of Jrue Holiday, Andre Iguodala, and Spencer Hawes, the Sixers are led by Ben Simmons, Robert Covington, and church-goer Joel Embiid. What a transformation.

Unlike the 2012 team, this one is young and still growing. This won’t be their peak. They could actually win the Eastern Conference given the other playoff series going on and the losses suffered by Boston. Just take a look at FiveThirtyEight:

Kyle: Think about that for a moment– the Sixers have a better chance to win the championship than the Warriors. Regardless of injuries, that’s hard to fathom at this point.

But they have to win this game tonight to continue their journey. They can’t have 26 turnovers like they did on Saturday, even if they do make a strong comeback in the fourth quarter. With the home fans behind them, the Sixers should have a huge advantage. But anything can happen, just ask Dwyane Wade and his Game 2 performance.

8 PM on NBC Sports Philadelphia and TNT. Let’s have some fun tonight. It’s our time now.

The Roundup:


The Phillies were off yesterday, but resume play tonight at home against the Arizona Diamondbacks at 7:05 PM on NBC Sports Philadelphia +. Will the boldness of the Phils continue?

The pitching has been outstanding for the team, especially from Nick Pivetta. He’s one of the younger starters that has been looking up to Jake Arrieta for advice:

“There’s no other way that we get to the next step if they don’t [progress]. That’s not possible,” Arrieta said. “And not to single those two out — if we want to play the last game of the season, which means the last game of the World Series, we all have to do that, not just Nick or not just Vinny — but if those guys both do [get better], it benefits our ballclub tremendously.”

Said manager Gabe Kapler: “I think it’s the emergence of Nick. I think it’s the emergence of Velasquez. I think it’s relievers we can go to that have behaved like the guys you depend on every day in the seventh, eighth, and ninth. It’s very encouraging.”

For now, though, Arrieta will continue to observe Pivetta’s bullpen sessions, stressing the importance of trusting his electric fastball and bending curveball in the strike zone rather than trying to be too fine. And Arrieta will keep drawing inspiration from his younger teammates, too.

“Right now, there’s an internal competition among all five of us that’s completely necessary for us to have long-term success,” he said. “Watching Nola throw eight strong innings, you follow that, you want to do the same thing — or better. Watching Nick out there, he’s doing everything we’re talking about when we work in our bullpens. We’re all in this thing together, and to see the strides that guys are taking, it’s very exciting.”

Thanks to the addition of a left leg kick, Rhys Hoskins is the batter we now know and love.


The Flyers have begun their offseason, but Anthony recaps everyone associated with the team, from the players to the front office.

After playing in some of the playoff series against the Penguins, Oskar Lindblom and Travis Sanheim will rejoin the Phantoms on their Calder Cup run.


The Eagles are considering a visit to the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl win, and for maybe other things.

This comes after a recording was released where Lurie said he does not support President Donald Trump.

The best option for the Eagles’ first round pick might be to not use it.

Devin Hester was almost an Eagle when Darren Sproles went down with an injury last year.

Former Eagle Daryl Worley has a new home:


In other sports news, the Rockets put up 50 points in the third quarter to take a 3-1 series lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Jazz also took a 3-1 lead as they took care of the Thunder at home. Mitt Romney taunted Russell Westbrook during the game.

In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs forced a Game 7 with a 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins. Washington took care of Columbus with a 6-3 win to win their series in six games.

Baker Mayfield to the Browns? It’s possible.

The Giants may be trading Ereck Flowers.

Julio Jones deleted all Falcons pictures from his Instagram account. Hmmmmmm.

Willie Snead will become a Raven.

After resigning from the head coaching job with the Carolina Hurricanes, Bill Peters is the new head coach of the Calgary Flames.

Former Sixer Andrew Bogut is going to finish his career in Australia.


In the news, a blind man was found living in pretty awful conditions, with his caretaker in custody.

A man drove a van into a crowd in Toronto and killed 10 people.

George H.W. Bush is in intensive care with an infection that has spread to his blood.