Sixers: 5 storylines to watch in opening round vs. Wizards

Sixers storyline to watch: Embiid’s feast

In the kindest possible terms, the Sixers should not expect much resistance from the Wizards’ defense. This is a favorable matchup across the board. There is not a single individual matchup offensively that should concern if the Sixers. If Philadelphia executes, Washington will struggle to keep up.

That starts, of course, with Embiid. The Wizards are better equipped than most teams to match Embiid’s size on the block. Alex Len is a big body. Robin Lopez has battled Embiid admirably in the past. Even Daniel Gafford, the third string center, is worthy of playing time. In the inevitable event of foul trouble, Washington has extra bodies.

Despite the Wizards’ preparedness in the frontcourt, however, Embiid should have no trouble feasting. The Wizards lack size overall and are largely undisciplined. They cannot throw extra length at Embiid on double teams, and one should not count on Washington properly recovering if Embiid makes the right reads out of said double teams.

Embiid has dominated individual matchups against great defenders all season. The Wizards do not have great defenders — only Robin Lopez. If Embiid can win that matchup, which he absolutely should, then there’s not much to keep the offense from humming along.