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The Sixers are 3-6 against teams currently with winning records, which shows they have to improve | Mailbag

While the Sixers have the Eastern Conference’s best record, they’ll need to improve to become a legitimate NBA title contender.

Damian Lillard (left) takes a shot over Sixers forward Tobias Harris (12) earlier this month. The Blazers won, part of the Sixers' 3-6 record vs. winning teams.
Damian Lillard (left) takes a shot over Sixers forward Tobias Harris (12) earlier this month. The Blazers won, part of the Sixers' 3-6 record vs. winning teams.Read moreSteve Dykes / AP

This is the 45th edition of the weekly 76ers mailbag. Each week, inquirer.com followers may submit questions to be answered.

Missed out on the party this week? No worries. Submit questions for next time by following me on Twitter, @PompeyOnSixers, and tweeting your inquiry with the hashtag #PompeysMailbagFlow.

Question: What’s the Sixers record against winning teams? Is Tobias amongst the league leaders in turnovers? — @lastgoodguy13

Answer: What’s up, man? I see you that you are straight forward with the questions. Let’s start with the Sixers record against teams with winning records. They have played seven teams that have winning records as of today. They’re 3-6 against those squads. Here’s the winning teams they faced with their overall records and record vs. the Sixers:

  1. Brooklyn Nets (19-12), 1-1

  2. Denver Nuggets (15-13), 0-1

  3. Los Angeles Lakers (22-8), 1-0

  4. Indiana Pacers (15-14), 1-0

  5. Portland Trail Blazers (18-10), 0-2

  6. Phoenix Suns (17-10), 0-1

  7. Utah Jazz (24-5), 0-1

To be fair, the Sixers (19-10) only had seven players in their Jan. 9 loss to the Nuggets due to injuries and the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols. But on the same note, the Nets and Blazers were both undermanned during their matchups with the Sixers.

While the Sixers have the Eastern Conference’s best record, they’ll need to improve to become a legitimate NBA title contender.

In regards to turnovers, Harris is not among the league leaders in turnovers. His average of 2.04 per game is tied with Detroit Pistons center Mason Plumlee for 51st in the league.

» READ MORE: Joel Embiid deserved his All-Star selection. What about Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris? | Sixers podcast

Q: Do you see the Sixers trading for either a backup point guard or possibly a backup power forward? The bench really seems like it could use some help right now. — @heels_R_better

A: Thanks for the question. This is a popular one, lately. I can see them trading for both.

However, I do think they’ll need see what Mike Scott can do before adding another power forward via a trade. Scott was expected to provide depth at power forward this season. Due to knee injuries, he missed 18 of the Sixers’ 29 games. He returned on Saturday and has played in the past three games, even starting Monday against the Utah Jazz. So I would really like to see what he can do. But the Sixers will need to add a pure backup point guard to the roster. That’s not a knock on their current reserve point guard. They’re just more combination guards than anything.

» READ MORE: Matisse Thybulle’s defense continues to draw rave reviews from Doc Rivers and Sixers teammates

Q: Seth doesn’t seem to be playing at the level he was pre-COVID. Is it still too soon to judge, or should we start worrying? — @iamjoeyconnors

A: Great question, Joey. It’s actually a tough one to answer just because this is all new to us. From what I heard, the aftereffects of COVID-19 impacts people differently. So it’s hard to say how long things will linger. But I will say his last six games have been encouraging, averaging 15.6 points. In his last outing, Curry had 25 points on 8-for-13, including going 3 of 5 on three-pointers.

Now, he did combined to shoot 2-for-9 on three-pointers in the previous two games. That’s going to happen. But I think he’s heading in a positive direction.