Sixers’ favorable schedule in next four games offers a chance to stay hot

The 76ers' next four opponents have a combined 21-50 record.

Joel Embiid is having an MVP-like season.Read moreSTEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photographer

Published Nov. 21, 2018, 1:56 p.m. ET

On paper, the 76ers are embarking on the easiest stretch of their season so far.

The Sixers improved to 13-7 after Wednesday night's 121-120 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans at the Wells Fargo Center. The matchup against the Pelicans (10-8) was the Sixers' ninth game against a team with a winning record.

But they won't have worry about that in the next four.

On Friday, the Sixers host the Cleveland Cavaliers at home. Then, they travel to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday before hosting the New York Knicks on Nov. 28 and Washington Wizards on Nov. 30. Those four teams had a combined 21-50 record heading into Wednesday's games.

The Cavs (2-14) have the league's worst record, one season removed from four consecutive NBA Finals appearances. The Nets (8-11) should be a good matchup for the Sixers, especially after routing Philly, 122-97, at the Barclays Center on Nov. 4. So one can only assume the Sixers will be charged up for this one.

Meanwhile, the Knicks (5-14) snapped six-game losing streak on Wednesday against the Celtics in Boston. The Wizards (6-11) have been one of the league's biggest disappointments. Now, there are reports that the team is open to trade discussions involving All-Star guards John Wall and Bradley Beal.

Dominant start

You might be hard pressed to find a more dominant NBA player than Joel Embiid at this point of the season.

The Sixers center is ranked fourth in the league in scoring at 28.1 points per game. The All-Star is fifth in rebounds (13.4) and fifth in blocks (2.1). Embiid became the first Sixer to have 18 double-doubles through 20 games since Hall of Famer Moses Malone did it during the 1983-84 season.

Embiid also had 12 games with at least 30 points and at least 10 rebounds.