The Sixer Sense
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Sixers: Best and worst potential matchups in the playoffs

By Christopher Kline

James Harden, Sixers (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
James Harden, Sixers (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

The Sixers are currently 40-24, good for third place in the rough-and-tumble Eastern Conference. With several potential contenders in the conference (even in the division), the Sixers could face a difficult path to the NBA Finals — even with Joel Embiid and James Harden showing early chemistry.

Is Philadelphia the favorite to come out of the East? It depends on who you ask. A lot of people still view Brooklyn as a sleeping giant, as reasonably so. Ben Simmons should return to the court soon, and Kevin Durant is the best player in the NBA when he’s right. Milwaukee, on the other hand, won it all last season. Then there’s Miami, the one-seed, or Boston, the best defense in the NBA.

There’s ample competition. That being said, which matchups should the Sixers hope for — and which should the team like to avoid? What’s the ideal bracket (within reason)?

Who should the Sixers want to face in the NBA playoffs?

  • Cleveland Cavaliers (38-27, sixth seed) 

The Cavs have taken a major step forward this season, with two All-Stars on the roster in Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen, a potential Rookie of the Year in Evan Mobley, and a potential Sixth Man of the Year in Kevin Love. They also have an excellent cast of supporting players (Caris LeVert, Lauri Markkanen, Isaac Okoro, Cedi Osman).

That said, Cleveland just doesn’t have the offensive firepower to keep pace with Philadelphia in a seven-game series. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley provide a lot of length in the frontcourt, but neither has proven particularly good at checking Joel Embiid in the post. The Cavs have arrived on the postseason radar, but it’ll probably be another season or two until they’re ready to make serious noise.

  • Chicago Bulls (40-26, fourth seed)

The Bulls have struggled to beat the elite teams this season, and consequently, the Sixers have had Chicago’s number all year. DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine are legitimately terrifying, but Joel Embiid can torch every member of the Bulls’ frontcourt. That is what a lot of these series could come down to — can any team truthfully stop Embiid without giving Harden and Maxey too much airspace?

Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso might be able to return for a stretch run, but Chicago hasn’t had all of its pieces in a while. That lack of continuity could bite them (even if the Sixers are notably just beginning to integrate Harden).

  • Atlanta Hawks (31-34, tenth seed)

Right now, Atlanta is clinging tightly to its play-in spot. Assuming the Hawks eventually get there, Trae Young and company are explosive enough to win a couple games and force a first-round matchup with Philadelphia. Clearly Atlanta poses some matchup problems for Philadelphia (see: second round, 2021 playoffs), but the Hawks are not the same team as last summer, and neither are the Sixers.

With Harden on board, the Hawks currently below .500, and Embiid amply motivated, the Hawks would stand very little chance in a seven-game series. Anything can happen, and the Sixers can’t sleepwalk, but smart money would be on Philadelphia.

  • Charlotte Hornets (32-35, ninth seed)

Easily the least frightening team in the bracket right now, Charlotte is just not ready to contend. The likes of Mason Plumlee and Montrezl Harrell stand no chance of disrupting Embiid, and the Hornets’ collect of perimeter defenders is middling at best. Charlotte plays a fun brand of basketball and LaMelo Ball has already made the All-Star leap, but the Hornets would be thoroughly outmatched.

  • Miami Heat (44-23, first seed)

This is all relative, of course. The Heat are the one-seed and have a very real path to winning the championship. Jimmy Butler is a proven clutch performer, Bam Adebayo is a ludicrously gifted defender, and Kyle Lowry provides a dynamic last year’s team simply did not have. That’s without mentioning Tyler Herro’s ascent and the return of former All-Star Victor Oladipo.

That said, of the top-tier contenders, Miami should probably scare Philadelphia the least. For one, Embiid and Harden might be the two best players in that series. You can’t say the same about Milwaukee or Brooklyn. The Heat also lack size on the interior to battle Embiid. Adebayo is plenty strong and has the mobility to match Embiid’s moves on the perimeter, but Embiid has historically handled Adebayo (all-NBA defender that he is) quite well.

Miami’s two best players have serious offensive limitations (Butler can’t shoot, Adebayo is mostly paint-bound). Erik Spoelstra is an elite coach and Miami’s nimble defensive scheme is difficult to crack, but even as the one-seed, the Heat feel beatable.