CAMDEN, N.J.–The Philadelphia 76ers are about to embark on a stretch where seven of their next eight games will be played on the road. This stretch will test them as they begin playoff preparation for what they hope will be a title run.

The Sixers have a lot of talent in the form of Joel Embiid, James Harden, Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, and others, but in order for them to make a run, they have to come together. They have to play for each other and continue to grow and make sacrifices to have success as a group.

Ever since a frustrating 12-12 start to the season, the Sixers have kicked it into high gear and are 33-10 since that start. They have won five in a row and are currently the No. 3 seed in the East.

“I feel like everybody has the same goal in mind,” said Shake Milton. “I’ve just seen a lot of guys just really get outside of themselves, and really sacrifice and do whatever the team needs to win because ultimately, that’s what everybody wants, and that’s where everybody’s eyes are.”

The Sixers have had a lot of success in the past, but they have not been able to overcome Round 2. They have fallen in the Eastern Conference semifinals in four of the past five seasons and they have to find a way to get over the hump and continue to chase their first championship since 1983.

The failures of the past seem to be fueling this group and allowing them to find a way to move forward.

“You can tell by the way everybody comes into work,” Milton continued. “Just the chemistry that we have, the camaraderie, and like I said, we’re just going to continue to focus in and hone in on each of these last  15 games we have and then get ready for what really counts.”

This current stretch that Philadelphia is about to embark on will be a big test for them to continue to grow and be ready for the challenges that the playoffs will present.

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Story originally appeared on Sixers Wire