76ers just secured a hidden advantage that could alter playoff destiny

With the Philadelphia 76ers welcoming all of their injured stars back, they were able to secure what is arguably their most important win yet. Facing huge playoff implications, the team managed to best the red-hot Charlotte Hornets on the road with a narrow 118-114 dub, allowing them to snag their 41st win of the season.

Having said that, Philly did not just tally another dub on their books. With this win, they have officially clinched the tiebreaker over the Hornets, coming out as the victor in two of their three matchups in the regular season. Obviously, this will be a huge advantage for the 76ers moving forward, especially with the playoff race heating up in the East.

Now, the 76ers are just a half-game back of the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. But getting past Charlotte and winning the season series will go a long way as they aim to secure a top-six finish at the very least for an outright playoff berth. After all, despite their loss, the Hornets are arguably the most dangerous team in their current tier.

The 76ers have officially clinched the season series against the Hornets

Charlotte is currently tied for No. 9 in the standings with the Heat, but that is not as distant from the 76ers as it sounds like. The Hornets are just two games behind them in the standings with a very realistic shot at going all the way to No. 5 if the Raptors and the Hawks slip up in their upcoming games.

That made it all the more critical that the 76ers were able to earnt he tiebreaker over them. As everyone knows, the Hornets have been radioactive since the calendar year flipped, having gone 28-13 since January 1 after turning in a paltry 11-22 record from October to December.

Hopefully, the 76ers can find more ways to generate even more separation from them in the standings. Of course, their target is to get as high as No. 5 ot No. 6 since either spot will net them an outright ticket to the playoffs after a one-year sabbatical.

The good thing is Philly has full control of its fate. With only eight games remaining on their schedule, they have no other choice but to show their urgency as they inch closer to the conclusion of the regular season. The road will be steep as they are still on deck for five games against teams in the playoff picture, but with better health this time around, they should be more equipped to handle that challenge.