How Valuable Is Making Playoffs This Season For The Sixers?

The Sixers are 30-25 heading into the NBA All-Star Break and are seventh in the Eastern Conference standings after trailing by as many as 24 points versus the Heat on Wednesday - Their largest comeback since November 14, 2008 versus the Pacers.  The 76ers rank third in the NBA in Defensive Rating (102.6) and sixth in Steals Per Game (8.3) as they continue to make a push to reach the postseason, which would be the first time the franchise has appeared in the NBA's "Second Season" since the 2011-12 season.

NBCSports.com Lead NBA Writer/Managing Editor Kurt Helin joined Mike Gill on Thursday with his perspective on the Sixers at the All-Star Break:

“This team has really taken strides this year that we’d hope they would take – That last win against the Heat was the kind of win you want to see because it’s the one that Joel Embiid is not playing (and) that’s a win over a Heat team that’s also in the thick of it trying to stay in the playoffs ….(If Sixers) get to the playoffs this year, that’s just invaluable experience; even with there’s going to be roster changes with Fultz coming in and do they keep Redick beyond this year and those kinds of questions but for the core of this group to get to the playoffs and experience playoff basketball and learn ‘Hey, it is different and this is how it’s different and this is how we have to prepare’ and it motivates the great players….That’s just huge for Philadelphia, so wherever they land (in the playoffs) I think it’s just a great experience for them.”

Hear what Helin had to say about the Cavaliers, Warriors, Markelle Fultz, and expectations for the Eastern Conference teams making the playoffs