How the Sixers match up with the Nets and Bucks

Brooklyn Nets

Sixers offense vs. Nets defense

There are legitimate concerns on how Philadelphia will score against playoff level defenses, but these concerns should dissipate against the Nets. While the Sixers are only 14th in offensive rating this season, the Nets are an awful 25th in defensive rating. Also, the Sixers’ offense matchups up extremely well against the Nets and should have no issue scoring.

The Nets are very limited at the center position, so Joel Embiid should feast on this matchup. The Sixers team as a whole prefers to attack the rim and the Nets do not have much rim protection. While Durant can guard one of Ben Simmons or Tobias Harris, the Nets don’t really have a second big wing defender to match up with either of the two.

Overall, the Sixers have a distinct edge in this matchup.

VERDICT: Edge Sixers

Sixers defense vs. Nets offense

This will be a very interesting matchup of two juggernaut units. The Sixers have the second-best defensive rating in the NBA and the Nets have the third-best offensive rating in the NBA. Everything runs through the Nets’ big three of Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and Kevin Durant, but the Nets also boast a collection of complementary offensive players to supplement the stars.

Ben Simmons can lock up one of the three stars, but the Sixers will have to test different matchups for the other two stars. Harris may have to guard Durant and Matisse Thybulle can make life tough for either Kyrie or Harden in his minutes. The Sixers will have to hope that Danny Green and George Hill can hold their own against one of the stars in spot minutes, and Seth Curry may get targeted by using his man as the screener in a pick-and-roll.

Embiid could actually be the x-factor here. The Sixers typically play drop pick-and-roll coverage, but that won’t work against the off-the-dribble shooting of the Nets. If Embiid can provide rim protection while surviving on the perimeter, the Sixers will have a chance in this matchup. Still, the Nets have so much firepower that it is tough to favor the Sixers in this matchup.

VERDICT: Edge Nets

Sixers stars vs. Nets stars

The battle between Embiid, Simmons, and Harris vs. Durant, Harden, and Irving is certainly not short in star power. Embiid has arguably been the most valuable player on a per-minute basis this season and should be able to go toe-to-toe with Durant, who is the Nets’ best player. The real battle will be who has more impact between the Simmons/Harris and Harden/Irving duos.

Harden and Irving have the edge, but Simmons and Harris have shown high-level upside before. They would have to play the best basketball of their lives to match up with the Nets stars, making it a longshot but possible. Overall, the Nets get the edge here, particularly as their stars have done it on the highest level before.

VERDICT: Edge Nets

Sixers role players vs. Nets role players

While the Nets may have more talent amongst the role players, the Sixers’ supporting cast fits better around the team’s stars. Between Joe Harris, Blake Griffin, and LaMarcus Aldridge, the Nets have plenty of offensive support but very little defense. Bruce Brown, DeAndre Jordan, Nic Claxton, and Jeff Green are solid players who understand their roles but not much more than that. The issue is that the Nets’ stars provide plenty of offense but need defensive help, something most of the role players do not offer.

Philadelphia’s supporting cast may not be as talented but certainly fit better around the stars. Green, Hill, and Curry are perfect fits with the stars, and Shake Milton, Dwight Howard, and Thybulle provide solid depth off the bench. Once the Sixers get fully healthy and Hill can up his minutes, the team will look much deeper.

Ultimately, this battle will come down to how much the Nets’ veterans have left in the tank against how much the Sixers’ younger role players can continue to develop.

VERDICT: Even

Doc Rivers vs. Steve Nash

Up until last season with the Clippers, Doc Rivers has had a strong playoff resume as a coach. Rivers has already won a championship with the Celtics and has been in numerous playoff series with the Clippers. On the other hand, Steve Nash is in his first season as a head coach and has not been in this situation before. Nash played in big games as a player and has a seasoned staff, but no one knows how he reacts in the playoffs until adversity begins.

If Doc learns from his failure to adjust in the 2020 playoffs, the Sixers should have an advantage here.

VERDICT: Edge Sixers

Sixers vs. Nets Series Prediction

This would be an amazing six or seven-game series between two fun and elite teams. I would give the slight edge to the Nets, but the Sixers have a realistic shot at taking down the NBA’s latest superteam.

VERDICT: Slight edge Nets