Sixers need to win … now

And here’s why.  The Sixers play five of their last six games in the month of November on the road in addition to opening December with two more road games. During that six-game span to close out November, five of those six teams rank in the top nine of ESPN’s pre-season NBA power rankings.

Here are the Sixers’ opponents (and power rankings) at the end of next month: Cleveland (4th), Washington (17th), Boston (2nd), Atlanta (9th), San Antonio (5th) and Dallas (6th).

As bad as the Sixers looked Wednesday against the Magic (3rd in the rankings), I cringe when thinking about that (primarily) road trip.

And the easier game might not be all that easy.  Although he’s only played one game, Washington’s Gilbert Arenas appears to be back to form (29 points, 9 assists in win at Dallas).

With the possible exception of the Wizards’ game, the Sixers will be big underdogs in all of these games. Emerging with a 2-4 (or, dare to dream, a 3-3) record during that stretch would be an achievement. Going 1-5 is more likely.  An 0-6 record is certainly (and sadly) possible.

That’s the bad news.

The good news is that six-game stretch doesn’t start until November 21st.

The better news is that the next 11 games including tonight’s home opener versus Milwaukee consist of mostly winnable games.

Seven of their next 11 games are at home.  And two of their four road games are just a bus ride up the Jersey Turnpike to play the Nets and Knicks.

Aside from one home game against the Celtics, none of those other 11 games are against opponents ranked in the top 9 of the ESPN Power Rankings.

They face three teams (Utah, Chicago and Phoenix) who fall in between the top 9 and the Sixers (14), but two of those three games are at home.

And here are their bottom 9 opponents (power rankings) in games played before November 21st: Oklahoma City (21st), Charlotte (22nd), New Jersey twice (25th), New York (26th), Milwaukee (27th) and Memphis (28th).

With seven of their next 11 opponents in the bottom tier of the power rankings, it is conceivable for the Sixers (despite Wednesday’s poor showing) to finish the upcoming stretch of games with a 8-4 record (counting their loss to Orlando).