Give and Go: Analyzing Sixers' first half

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Each week, we'll ask questions about the Sixers to our resident basketball analysts and see what they have to say.

Running the Give and Go this week are CSNPhilly.com Sixers Insider Dei Lynam, CSNPhilly.com columnist John Gonzalez and CSNPhilly.com producer/reporter John Finger.

How do you rate the Sixers' first half of the season?

Lynam
The Sixers are 14-30 so far through the 82-game season.

Evaluating their performance to date is an interesting task. Strictly by the numbers, you can paint a dismal picture. The Sixers’ record is third worst in the NBA. They are also are dead last in the league in points allowed and turnovers per game.

However, they are the NBA’s No. 1 team in pace with 102.1 possessions per 48 minutes. That speaks volumes of the Sixers’ commitment to their uptempo style of play and the fitness necessary to maintain that level.

The over/under on wins for the Sixers this season was 16½ before opening night. They are well on their way to surpassing that mark.

The Sixers play an entertaining style and are competitive in games 80 percent of the time. Their record would say they are delivering a failing product, but I give them a C+ to this point because I do believe they are maximizing the talent on the roster.

Gonzalez
Through the halfway point the Sixers were 13-28. I'll use the Chip Kelly Formula and give them a grade of 31 percent. That's better than expected.

Let's not forget that the Vegas bookies installed the Sixers' over/under win total at 16½. They'll reach that with no trouble, and they're on pace to land somewhere between 25 and 30 wins when adjusting for schedule.

Considering the talent they have -- or, rather, don't -- it's remarkable and surprising.

Finger
Given what we expected from the Sixers before the season began, perhaps they should get an A. Yeah, they have just 14 wins, are in last place and have looked overmatched at times. However, the Vegas betting odds were that the Sixers would win 16 or 17 games this season. They got to 14 at the halfway point.

Sure, the Sixers earned each one of those victories, nabbing four of them in overtime. But who would have guessed the Sixers could have started the season with three straight wins and been within a handful of games of a playoff spot?

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