Golden State Warriors
2017-18 record: 58-24
2017-18 season series: 2-0, Warriors
2018-19 advantage: Warriors
The Warriors are the NBA’s best team until proven otherwise. Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry are the world’s best players not named LeBron James. Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and DeMarcus Cousins (when healthy) all crack the top 20.
Steve Kerr has molded Golden State into an offensive juggernaut with no clear weakness. There have been times when Durant sticks out in a negative light, but even then, the Warriors are seldom vulnerable enough to lose in a playoff setting.
Last season, the Rockets were a Chris Paul injury away from potentially taking down the Warriors. Even then, however, there was no guarantee Golden State loses. Houston was a historically prolific offense, something the Sixers currently aren’t.
Embiid could pose matchup problems for the Warriors, but there are two sides to that card. Golden State takes pace and space the extreme, something that doesn’t favor Embiid’s offensive or defensive strengths.