Stuart London
A lot of people feel that facing the Brooklyn Nets is the worst possible matchup for the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the NBA playoffs. I am not too sure about that, as Orlando is playing well and would not have been a walk in the park either.
The Sixers did have a lot of trouble with the Nets during the regular season, going 2-2 with them (and would have been 3-1 Nets if not for a Jimmy Butler buzzer-beater) but the playoffs are a different animal.
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(Note: This evaluation is based on the assumption that Joel Embiid will play in all the games. If he doesn’t, then it’s a pick-em.)
Now the intensity is upped and the rotations shortened. A lot of the Nets’ success has been, to their credit, how they can outwork some teams. But, now all teams are playing hard (or should be). Jimmy Butler will be up in D’Angelo Russell’s grill and J.J. Redick actually gets to guard a player (Joe Harris) who is even slower than him, so he might not be as big a defensive liability.
The Sixers’ paper-thin bench does not factor as much now as coach Brett Brown says they will go only 8-9 deep. If the game is close with five minutes to go, and the Sixers’ starting five can then play the rest of the game, it is hard to believe the Nets will pull out more than one game.
Since I have already sold my tickets to Game 5, which means I would have to give back a decent amount of money if it isn’t played, I am sure this is how the series will go.
Prediction: Sixers in 4