Fansided

5 reasons we won’t get a Cavaliers-Warriors Finals rematch

By Chris Stone

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shares a hug with Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in Game Five of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 12, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shares a hug with Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in Game Five of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 12, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 03: Ben Simmons #25 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on during a game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 3, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 100-92. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 03: Ben Simmons #25 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on during a game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 3, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 100-92. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

3. The 76ers might be young, but a changing of the guard could be coming

Now locked into the third seed in the Eastern Conference, Philadelphia is positioned to face a hobbled Boston squad in the second round assuming things go according to seed in round one. There is a legitimate chance the 76ers could be waiting in the conference finals should Cleveland get past Toronto. The Process is ahead of schedule.

Philadelphia has the fourth best point differential in the league behind just Houston, Toronto and Golden State, per Cleaning the Glass. NBA.com pegs them as the second best team by that metric since the All-Star Game. As a result, the Sixers have managed a 22-5 record in that stretch, winning 16 straight to close the season.

In Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, Philadelphia boasts two of the most difficult offensive matchups in the NBA. Although Simmons lacks a jump shot, head coach Brett Brown is effective getting him in positions moving downhill whether in transition or in the halfcourt. At full steam ahead, few dare get in his way. Embiid’s post up game, meanwhile, is one of the few in the league that can still force a double team, a dangerous prospect when he’s surrounded by the likes of Robert Covington and JJ Redick.

Cleveland holds an obvious experience advantage over the Sixers roster. It’s often tough to buy into young teams until they accomplish something at least once in the playoffs, but if regular season success serves as any guide, the Cavaliers could be in for a serious fight if they butt heads with Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference Finals.

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