4. Philadelphia 76ers vs. Brooklyn Nets
If Joel Embiid were healthy, the clash between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets would be one of the more entertaining first-round series.
Alas, the Sixers star big man is doubtful for Game 1 because of lingering left knee soreness that has only gotten worse in recent days, putting his availability for the remainder of the series in question.
When healthy, the new-look Sixers may have the Eastern Conference’s most talented starting five. Embiid and Ben Simmons were both All-Stars this season, while Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris weren’t far removed from that discussion. Throw in sharpshooter J.J. Redick, and Philadelphia’s top-end talent far outshines Brooklyn’s.
But with Embiid’s status in doubt, the Nets may have a few critical advantages that can help them pull off an unlikely upset.
The Sixers have struggled all season to defend lead ball-handlers, and in D’Angelo Russell, Spencer Dinwiddie and Caris LeVert, the Nets have such players in spades. They can send wave after wave at Philadelphia’s dismal point-of-attack defense, particularly with Embiid not looming in the paint as a shot deterrent.
The Nets also fire a high volume of 3-pointers—they were fifth this season in both makes and attempts—which increases their variance. If their shooters get hot, they could help swing this series despite Philadelphia’s advantage in All-Star-caliber talent.
The Sixers should win this series with or without Embiid. But if the Nets steal one of the first two games in Philadelphia, this could quickly become one of the most hotly contested first-round matchups.