The Sixer Sense
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3 surefire events and 2 big surprises that might happen in 76ers-Nets series

By Stuart London

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 11: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Spencer Dinwiddie #26 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers at Barclays Center on February 11, 2023 in New York City. The 76ers defeated the Nets 101-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 11: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Spencer Dinwiddie #26 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers at Barclays Center on February 11, 2023 in New York City. The 76ers defeated the Nets 101-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

The ‘real’ NBA season for many fans now begins, with the Philadelphia 76ers facing the Brooklyn Nets in a first-round series. As the Nets squad has been only together for a couple of months, there are a lot of unknowns involving this matchup.

At the beginning of the season, playing the Brooklyn Nets meant taking on the formidable (on paper) trio of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons. However, the Nets team the Sixers will now face, is much different.

Durant is in Phoenix, Irving played in Dallas (until Mark Cuban ordered him benched, so they could tank) and Simmons, well, all he does is draw a big paycheck, you will not see him on the court due to — not getting into that.

The post-trades Nets did not fall in the standings like a rock despite losing a lot of firepower. They were able to hold off a charging Miami Heat squad to hold onto the sixth and final playoff spot (which Jimmy Butler and the Heat would pay dearly for in the Play-in).

They have a big scorer in Mikal Bridges and a rim protector in the athletic Nic Claxton. And they also have two three-point shooting specialists in Joe Harris and Seth Curry (remember him?).

But this Brooklyn team has only been together since the All-Star break, so there are only some things you can be assured will occur, but others that will be a surprise.

Related Story. 3 key matchups in 76ers’ first round series vs. Nets. light

That is why we are presenting: 3 surefire events and 2 big surprises that will occur in the Nets-76ers playoff series.

Surefire events in Philadelphia 76ers-Brooklyn Nets series

3. Game 1 will be a lot closer than expected

Remember when the Nets faced the 76ers in the first round back in 2019? Like this year, it was supposed to be a walk in the park for the heavily favored Sixers.

With four big stars in Joel Embiid, Simmons, Tobias Harris and Jimmy Butler, this lowly Nets club had no chance.

A raucous crowd showed up for Game 1 on April 13 to witness the inevitable crushing of the opposition.  Instead, they hurled boos at the home team, as Brooklyn dominated in an 111-102 victory.

The Sixers did learn their lesson, and went on to win the series, 4-1, and advanced to face the Toronto Raptors, but that first game was definitely a slap in the face of reality.

The circumstances are exactly the same this time. The 76ers have a bunch of stars (Maxey and Harden replacing Simmons and Butler) and this first round is expected to be a mere formality.

The Nets know nothing is expected of them, so they can play loose and free. They are also reading the same material as fans, everyone saying they have no shot to win against Embiid, Harden et al.

The Sixers are 8.5 point favorites as of Thursday, so Las Vegas expects an easy game as well.

However, based on recent history, it is assuredly going to be a dogfight, and a loss if the 76ers play as cocky and overconfident as they did in 2019.