Philadelphia 76ers: 3 Teams Philly Doesn't Want to See in the Playoffs

The Philadelphia 76ers have lost four in row and hold only a one-game lead over the Milwaukee Bucks for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. This, where only a little over a week ago, they were atop of the Atlantic Division and holding the fourth seed.

The Sixers need to get back to work and do it right quickly or they may be out of the playoffs this season.

Nevertheless, the Sixers are still alive and there are 10 games left to determine who they will play in the first round if they can overcome their recent struggles.

Here are three teams the Sixers do not want to see in the first round.

Miami Heat

Miami has been the only team the Sixers have not beaten in the East. They have triumphed over the Sixers the past 11 regular-season meetings and beat them last year in the first round. Nothing is a lock, but the Sixers do not want to see Miami first this season.

The tandem of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh has been too good for the Sixers to overcome the past two seasons.

Indiana Pacers

Like the Sixers, the Pacers are a young and upcoming team with a lot of talent. They have been playing at an above .500 level this season and have beaten the Sixers this year as well.

They pose a moderate threat to the Sixers this year if they meet up in the first round, but the Sixers would rather play another team with whom they have had more success against.

Orlando Magic

The Sixers lost to Orlando Saturday largely in part to the play of Dwight Howard. Arguably the best center the game (unless you want to argue the Bynum is the guy), Howard turned it on and had a 20-20 game. The Sixers do not want to see Orlando this soon because they simply do not have the center to play him one-on-one.

The Magic have too many shooters and can be a good team when everything is working.