The Sixers have a slight edge on the Nets in remaining schedule | Off the Dribble

A truly good morning, 76ers fans. The team hasn’t played in what seems like an eternity in this condensed schedule. The Sixers have enjoyed two days off after Tuesday’s 106-96 win at Boston. In fact, they got to come home before leaving Thursday for New Orleans and Friday’s game vs. the Pelicans.

The Sixers and Brooklyn Nets continue to battle each other for the best record in the Eastern Conference, and in looking at remaining schedules, the Sixers have an advantage.

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— Marc Narducci (offthedribble@inquirer.com)

The Sixers (35-16) have 21 games left, and the Nets (36-16) have 20. According to tankathon.com, the combined winning percentage of the Sixers’ remaining opponents (through Wednesday) was .485. The combined winning percentage of the Nets’ remaining opponents was .514.

The Sixers have 11 home games left and 10 on the road. The Nets have eight at home and 12 on the road. The two teams have one game remaining against each other, Wednesday at the Wells Fargo Center.

Sixers remaining schedule (21 games): April 9 at Dallas; April 10 at Oklahoma City; April 12 at Dallas; April 14 Brooklyn; Apr. 16 L.A. Clippers; April 19 Golden State; April 21 Phoenix; April 22 at Milwaukee; April 24 at Milwaukee; April 26 Oklahoma City; April 28 Atlanta; April 30 Atlanta; May 2 at San Antonio; May 3 at Chicago; May 5 at Houston; May 7 New Orleans; May 8 Detroit; May 1 at Indiana; May 13 at Miami; May. 14 Orlando; May 16 Orlando.

Nets remaining schedule (20 games): April 10 L.A. Lakers; April 12 at Minnesota; April 14 at Sixers; April 16 Charlotte; April 18 at Miami; April 20 at New Orleans; April 21 at Toronto; April 23 Boston; April 25 Phoenix; April 27 at Toronto; April 29 at Indiana; April 30 Portland; May 2 at Milwaukee; May 4 at Milwaukee; May 6 at Dallas; May 8 at Denver; May 11 at Chicago; May 12 San Antonio; May 15 Chicago; May 16 Cleveland.

Longest road trip

Sixers (4) They are in the second game of this trip, which began in Boston, and continues in New Orleans, Oklahoma City, and Dallas.

Nets (5) Consecutive games at Milwaukee, Dallas, Denver, and Chicago.

Longest homestand

Sixers (4) Beginning with Wednesday’s game with Brooklyn and followed by the Clippers, Golden State, and Phoenix.

Nets (3) This will come during the final three games of the regular season beginning May 12 vs. San Antonio followed by games vs. Chicago and Cleveland.

Back-to-backs

Sixers (5) The toughest is April 21 at home vs. Phoenix and the next night in Milwaukee.

Nets (4) Two of those back-to-backs will come within a six-day period to end the season. It begins at Chicago on May 11 and vs. San Antonio May 12, and then May 15 vs. Chicago and May 16 vs. Cleveland.

Notable: Both teams will play a two-game series in three days at Milwaukee.

» READ MORE: Five defenders on Joel Embiid weren’t enough. Plus, Ben Simmons’ thievery. | Sixers-Celtics best/worst

Regardless of the schedule, it all comes down to the health of the respective teams. James Harden is out with a hamstring injury, and the Nets said Tuesday that he would be evaluated in approximately 10 days. The Sixers are still without trade-deadline acquisition George Hill, who has yet to play after having surgery on his right thumb on Feb. 2.

After sweeping the Celtics in three games this season, David Murphy writes, the Sixers have surpassed Boston, validating Sam Hinkie’s tenure.

In his first interview with the media since being acquired at the March 25 trade deadline, George Hill assures he will be returning this season from his injured thumb.

In waiving Ignas Brazdeikis, the Sixers could still add another player before Friday’s 11:59 p.m. playoff-eligibility waiver deadline.

Keith Pompey writes that Joel Embiid’s frequent trips to the foul line and high free-throw percentage make him hard to guard.

Embiid’s defense often gets overlooked because of his dominance on offense.

Mason Jones is glad to be with the Sixers, soaking up his time on a veteran team with championship aspirations.

That is a big difference from his first NBA team.

Jones, 22, was signed to a two-way contract with the Sixers on March 26 after Paul Reed’s two-way deal was converted to a standard contract. Before that, Jones had played under a two-way deal this season as a rookie with the Houston Rockets. In 26 games, he averaged 5.8 points in 11.8 minutes. Houston has a 14-37 record and had a 20-game losing streak earlier this season.

Jones made his Sixers debut in Sunday’s 116-100 loss to Memphis, scoring six points in 9 minutes, 29 seconds of mop-up time.

“It’s real, real crazy,” Jones said after Thursday’s practice. “The vibe in Houston was kind of difficult because we were losing, but it is very rare that a rookie comes in the No. 1 seed in the East halfway through their rookie year.” (Actually, the Sixers are a half-game behind first-place Brooklyn.)

It didn’t take him long to see the difference.

“Everybody is on the same vibe, [competing for] a championship. You just see that every day in practice, the locker room, on the court; we’re together,” he said.

Jones said his new teammates have welcomed him with open arms.

“I’ve bonded with Ben Simmons and Dwight Howard, and they have taken me under their wing,” he said.

» READ MORE: The Sixers’ Danny Green has been mostly on his game lately | Off the Dribble

Jones went undrafted in 2020 after applying as an early entry candidate following his junior season at Arkansas. He spent his first year at Connors State College before his last two at Arkansas.

As a junior, he was SEC co-player of the year after averaging 22.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.6 steals. He was teammates both seasons at Arkansas with Sixers second-round pick Isaiah Joe.

“When we play together, they just see the chemistry,” Jones said about his new teammates. “I know where Isaiah is going to be and he knows where I will be so they can tell that we have played together. ... Playing with Isaiah has been unreal.”

Friday: Sixers at New Orleans Pelicans, 8 p.m. Smoothie King Center, NBC Sports Philadelphia

Saturday: Sixers at Oklahoma City Thunder, 9 p.m. Chesapeake Energy Arena, NBC Sports Philadelphia

Monday: Sixers at Dallas Mavericks, 7:30 p.m., American Airlines Center, NBC Sports Philadelphia, ESPN

Wednesday: Brooklyn Nets at Sixers, 7 p.m., Wells Fargo Center, ESPN

April 16: Los Angeles Clippers at Sixers, 7 p.m. Wells Fargo Center, NBC Sports Philadelphia/ESPN

Question: I hate criticizing, but Embiid’s defense, sorry. All I ask is just watch & count the number of layups scored on him, then see how often he switches to cover a guard and gives up a layup, jumper or have a guard pass to the big he left and he scores. The biggest compliment anyone can give Embiid is that he is a deterrent. Just watch. Other than that, for his size, he is a disappointment. There are not many 7-foot-2 players, but he blocks less than any that play significant time. You gave no reason for me to change my opinion, just watch and count the layups. I have been for 3 years, that is all I ask. — Larry Wren via email

Answer: Thanks for the question, Larry, who is referring to this article I wrote after the Celtics win. In the article, I suggested that Embiid isn’t a first-team all-defensive player, but you said he is a deterrent and I can’t buy that. The Sixers are second in the NBA in defensive rating, allowing 107.1 points per 100 possessions, and he has to get some credit for that.

In addition, opponents are shooting 53.7% against Embiid from less than six feet, according to NBA.com. Again, that isn’t the best in the league, but from that close in, it isn’t bad. I maintain that the Sixers are a defensive force and while Simmons is their top defensive player, Embiid has contributed greatly to the success.

Send questions by email to mnarducci@inquirer.com or @sjnard on Twitter.