The Sixers will play the Hornets in the first round of this year's Playoffs. Philadelphia lost the regular season series 2-1. The two teams met in the first round of the Playoffs in 2000. The Sixers came out victorious in that series, 3-1.
On March 31, Kenny Thomas scored 24 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in the Sixers' 118-113 overtime victory over the host Magic. It was Thomas' fifth double-double in six games. In the five previous games, Thomas has averaged 11.2 rebounds and contributed four double-doubles, including 18 points and 11 rebounds March 29 against the Hawks. Thomas was in the starting lineup in that game because Derrick Coleman was out with a left quadriceps contusion, and Brian Skinner was away on personal business. "He was unbelievable," coach Larry Brown told the Philadelphia Inquirer after Thomas' 18-rebound show against the Warriors on March 28. "He got his hands on a lot of balls, and he rebounded defensively as well. He always goes to the boards. He's so conscientious about that."