It’s also quite possible Korkmaz’s defense could be problematic vs. the Celtics, which might be another route to Robinson (if healthy) receiving substantial playoff minutes. That is what the supporting cast is for. "He’s a great story, as we all know. He returned at the start of the second period, played 23 minutes and finished with 14 points and six rebounds.His decision-making when double teamed was less precise than in the early seeding games and he turned it over five times. He understands that opponents will try to target him defensively.“I was just trying to be solid on defense,” he said on July 21, “because the first (two) years, everybody was talking about my weaknesses on defense, but I think this year I made a big jump on defense. Here’s what Haberstroh wrote on that subject:  Over the next few weeks, league insiders are keeping an eye on the situation in Philadelphia as the Sixers have underwhelmed for the second straight season. “Play in an NBA rotation” isn't the same as “be on the floor in crunch time of a playoff game” or “take on the opposition’s top scorers,” or anything close to it. That does not even mention Kemba Walker at the point guard who has given the Sixers trouble historically.Philadelphia will lean on Josh Richardson and Matisse Thybulle out on the perimeter and “I do. If he’s not limited by a nagging left hip pointer injury, Glenn Robinson offers an attractive two-way skill set, a playoff-ready mixture of perimeter defense, outside shooting and cutting. If the short-handed Sixers lose in the first round, Udoka could be in line for a promotion with the Sixers.“The Sixers may not want another coach to leave their organization. There was an odd exchange early in the third quarter when Embiid, frustrated after not receiving a call against Harden in the post, gave the eight-time All-Star a shove with his right arm to pick up his fifth foul. It’s possible all of the players mentioned above will be in the Sixers’ playoff rotation, which Brown has said he expects will include nine players. Embiid, Tobias Harris, Alec Burks and Furkan Korkmaz all scored in double figures.Burks’ emergence as an enterprising scorer, solid ball handler and sensible facilitator off the bench was one of the best seeding game developments for the Sixers. As a team, the Sixers shot 18 for 38 from three-point range in the game and ended their eight seeding games with a 41.6 percent mark from long distance. Team: …

“Defensively, offensively, I’m just trying to stay consistent,” Korkmaz said Wednesday. Though the MVP finalist scored 27 points and had 10 assists, he turned it over seven times and didn’t get much help from his supporting cast. Alec Burks is far from an elite defender, but he’s generally looked capable of stopping some dribble penetration and can single-handedly generate offense in a way few of his teammates can. The Rockets were without Russell Westbrook, who is sidelined by a right quad sprain. It's going down to the wireSixers injury update: Joel Embiid (left ankle) out against Suns; Ben Simmons has surgery Furkan Korkmaz’s biggest weakness as a player is no great secret.He is an improved defender but not a good one and so, with the I do (have confidence). Josh Richardson was the primary defender on James Harden. In response to rumors last May that the Sixers’ second-round loss to the Raptors may have put Brown’s job in jeopardy, his The Sixers’ first-round series against the Celtics begins on Monday night (Storylines & Stats you need to know ahead of Sixers-CelticsBlock and a Bucket — Korkmaz gets it done on both endsMarc Jackson's keys to beating Boston in the first roundBrown's back is against the wall in Round 1 vs. CelticsHas Korkmaz's defense improved enough for playoff minutes?Highlights: Sixers lose close one as seeding round nears endRaul Neto blocks Kyle Lowry, knocks down 3 on the other endWithout Simmons, how will Sixers handle Tatum in playoffs?Joel Embiid’s status, a lingering rotation question, more on Sixers’ final tune-up before playoffs Sixers' Ime Udoka is ‘biggest name to watch’ in Bulls’ head coaching search How to watch Sixers at Rockets: Storylines, live stream, game time and moreNBA Rumors: Buddy Hield's comments should have Sixers fans intrigued2020 NBA playoffs: Schedule for Sixers-Celtics series is set ESPN's Pablo Torre rants about Al Horford and Elton Brand, and gets everything rightNBA rumors: Insider has a couple of trade targets in mind for Sixers Sixers Talk podcast: Ready or not, here come the CelticsBench celebrations were a highlight in fourth quarter of Sixers' game vs. RaptorsCan Furkan Korkmaz hold his own on defense vs. Celtics? Brown on Friday said Robinson’s situation was “a little up in the air right now.”Scott is a veteran who's helpful to have available in the postseason, but Robinson’s perimeter defense could be valuable against Boston’s talented wings, including Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Though Matisse Thybulle provides little offensively besides spot-up shooting and athleticism, he has special talent on the other side of the ball that the Sixers will need with Ben Simmons out after undergoing surgery on his left knee. “He understood well and truly that it was going to influence, clearly, how much he was going to play. But I think defense is key for me to stay on the court longer, I know that.”Against Boston this season, Korkmaz played, in chronological order, 19, 8, 14 and 25 minutes. That opened up a door for him, that he took advantage of.”Korkmaz will undoubtedly have a role in the playoffs due to the fact that he can shoot the ball, but his defense may very well be the difference for the Sixers in this series.