The race for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference might have been decided Wednesday night when the Philadelphia 76ers (38-17) defeated the Brooklyn Nets (37-18). Philadelphia moved one game ahead of Brooklyn for the top spot in the standings and earned the potential tiebreaker between the two rivals.

The Nets rested a healthy Kevin Durant in the 123-117 loss, choosing not to play their best player on the second night of a back-to-back. James Harden also didn’t suit up because of a hamstring injury.

Brooklyn made it clear that chasing the No. 1 seed is not a priority. Between the Nets’ decision to rest players and the remaining schedules for the two teams, the 76ers are well on their way to clinching home-court advantage throughout the East playoffs.

Philadelphia’s strength of schedule for its final 17 games ranks 22nd in the NBA. Only nine teams have a more difficult schedule than Brooklyn the rest of the way.

The Milwaukee Bucks (34-20) are 3.5 games behind the 76ers as the No. 3 seed. With the No. 4 seed Atlanta Hawks (30-25) sitting eight games out of the top spot, no other team is a threat to Philadelphia.

The 76ers could cruise to the conference finals. As the No. 1 seed, Philadelphia would avoid playing Brooklyn and Milwaukee in the first two rounds of the playoffs. The Nets and Bucks are likely headed for a second-round matchup.

The Miami Heat (28-27) or Boston Celtics (29-26) would be the toughest possible second-round opponent for the 76ers. Neither team has played consistently good basketball for any lengthy stretch of games this season.

Philadelphia is currently on track to face the Charlotte Hornets (27-27) in the first round. At the moment, 0Brooklyn and Miami are headed for a first-round meeting.

It’s been two decades since the 76ers reached the conference finals. After a a few disappointing playoff exits in recent years, Philadelphia has its best chance to make the NBA Finals.

Joel Embiid has arguably been the NBA’s best player when healthy, averaging 29.8 points, 11. 0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 blocks in 37 games. Embiid is shooting 38.9% from three-point range and attempting 11.6 free throws per game.

Ben Simmons leads the 76ers with 7.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Simmons is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, leading the No. 2 ranked defense in the NBA.

The Utah Jazz (41-14) are three games ahead of Philadelphia at the top of the overall 2021 NBA standings.

Philadelphia's Joel Embiid reacts after scoring in the 76ers' 121-109 NBA victory over the Milwaukee Bucks
Philadelphia's Joel Embiid reacts after scoring in a 76ers' victory over the Milwaukee Bucks GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Sarah Stier
RELATED STORIES