Predicting Each Game for Philadelphia 76ers in April

Coming off of a sluggish March, as the Sixers enter April and the final stretch of the season they need to change things and remain become consistent.

After starting the season with a 20-9 record, ever since they have won a total of just eight games, which dates back to the middle of February. Eight!

Currently they reside at a record of 28-22, just barely above .500. entering the season, expectations were certainly higher.

There's is no doubt Philadelphia needs to turn things around at the end of the season, and they are definitely capable of doing so. However, ten of their 14 games in April are away, so the odds aren't really in their favor considering their 10-12 record on the road.

The end of the season calls for some intriguing match-ups and here's how I think it'll play out...

4/3 @Miami Heat: Loss

Record against them this season: 0-3

The Sixers simply cannot beat the Heat this year. In their first encounter, the Heat blew them out by more than 20 and in their second meeting they won by 20 as well. 

Although their most recent meeting was closer, 84-78, the Heat had a much larger lead throughout the game. 

The Big Three and Miami just can't be stopped by the Sixers. They are simply above the Sixers and are on a whole other level.

4/4 vs Toronto Raptors: Win

Record against them this season: 1-0

This should be an easy win for the Sixers. Philadelphia played the Raptors just once earlier in the season and destroyed them, 97-62 at home.

Toronto, just 16-34 this year, have one of the worst defenses in the league and do not perform well on the boards. These are very good for the Sixers since they do not have the best offense out there.

Although the Raptors have Andrea Bargnani, he recorded 21 points when they played them this year and the Sixers still won by over 30.

This is an easy win and there should be nothing to worry about.

4/7 vs Orlando Magic: Win

Record against them this season: 1-1

True, Dwight Howard is going to be hard to stop, but I think the Sixers pull off the much needed win at home here.

The Sixers need to keep up with them on the boards without question. If they can keep up with Dwight, then they are good to go. Aside from him, the Sixers lineup is better at every position. Ironically enough though, the Sixers lost when they kept with the Magic on the boards and won when they didn't.

When they beat the Magic earlier in the year, 74-69, they clearly won it on a defensive game as they kept the score low. In fact, they allowed the Magic to score only nine points in the third quarter that game.

If Philadelphia plays this game smart on the defensive side like before, they should be able to get this much needed win.

4/8 @Boston Celtics: Loss

Record against them this season: 2-0

As great as it would be for the Sixers to win this game and take a nice lead in the division, I just don't see them pulling off a win against the Celtics at Boston.

Although they have defeated the Celtics twice both by considerable margins, the Celtics have caught fire since while the Sixers have slowed their pace.

Philly is definitely capable of winning this game, and I think it will be a close one. A sweep against the Celtics this year would be great, but it seems just too good to be true.

4/10 @New Jersey Nets: Win

Record against them this season: 0-1

Although Deron Williams was unstoppable in their last meeting, I think the Sixers take revenge and grab a win in New Jersey.

In their one matchup this year the Nets stole a win in overtime and Williams went off scoring 34 points and recording 11 assists. If the Sixers want to win this game, Jrue Holiday cannot let Williams go off yet again.

4/11 @Toronto Raptors: Win

Record against them this season: 1-0

Once again, I think the Sixers will top the Raptors as they should. This is a great opportunity to for a late season win they must cease.

4/13 vs New Jersey Nets: Win

Record against them this season: 0-1

I think the Sixers are able to pull out another win in their second meeting with the Nets for the month, but this one will be a close one.

The Sixers have a good opportunity to string together a nice three game win streak here that could turn into some momentum down the stretch.

4/16 @Orlando Magic: Loss

Record against them this season: 1-1

The Magic get even with the Sixers here at home. Down the stretch I don't see the Magic going down twice to the Sixers. There is no doubt Dwight will show up this game.

It could be a close game, but I see Dwight putting it away.

4/17 vs Indiana Pacers: Win

Record against them this season: 1-1

This was really a tough call since the Pacers matchup against the Sixers well.

In the first meeting between the two, the Sixers won at home, but at the same time Danny Granger didn't play. When Granger did play the Pacers won at home, 111-94.

Despite that, in each time facing the pacers the Sixers offense has produced. Andre Iguodala, for one, nearly recorded a double-double both times.

The Sixers have a chance at a big win here, and I think they cease it at home.

4/18 @Cleveland Cavaliers: Win

Record against them this season: 2-0

After just blowing out the Cavs for the second time this year, I don't see why they won't do it again. The only thing there is to say here is they must take advantage of this matchup.

I don't know how confident I am to say Jodie Meeks will repeat his performance of 31 points, but they should get the win.

4/21 @Indiana Pacers: Loss

Record against them this season: 1-1

I don't see the Sixers beating the Pacers twice, especially when the second game is at Indiana.

The Pacers are a young and scary team that could do damage to the Sixers and other teams fighting for better seeding in the playoffs. The Pacers will take a stab at the Sixers fight for a high seed in the playoffs here.

4/23 @New Jersey Nets: Loss

Record against them this season: 0-1

Yes, this the third game the Sixers will have against the Nets in the month of April. For some reason I feel that the Sixers will lose a very winnable game late in the season and this will be it.

4/25 @Milwaukee Bucks: Win

Record against them this season: 1-1

Brandon Jennings did kill them last time, scoring 33 points, but the Sixers should be able to defeat the Bucks regardless. However, keep in mind that the Bucks have Monta Ellis now and are 5-3 since the acquisition.

Ellis hasn't really sparked that much with them with the exception of one game thus far, but he's still Monta Ellis, well capable of scoring 30 points in any game.

It won't be an easy win, but they'll get the job done.

4/26 @Detroit Pistons: Win

Record against them this season: 3-0

There is no reason for them to lose this game, and by this time, the playoff race should still be tight.

The Sixers have easily beaten the Pistons three times this season, all of which were won by margins between 20 and 30 points.

Assuming they don't choke (which isn't a strong assumption), they'll get an easy win here.

Overall: 9-5 in April

9-5 is a solid record and what the Sixers should do this April. However they are capable of doing a little better or even a little worse.

Overall from today, that's a 37-27 record not including their remaining games in March.

The most important thing for them to do is take advantage of the easy matchups, win at least a few of the games against good teams like the Celtics, Magic and Pacers, and finish strong entering the playoffs.