The group of Embiid, Harris, Butler, JJ Redick and Ben Simmons has been together in the starting five only 10 times this season. It won’t help that the Sixers start the postseason with the ever-hustling Nets, whose backcourt depth — All-Star D’Angelo Russell and Spencer Dinwiddie as the starters with Caris LeVert and NBA 3-point leader Joe Harris off the bench — presents a major problem for Sixers coach Brett Brown.
NBA PLAYOFFS 2019: Full schedule | East predictions
76ers vs. Nets: Schedule, breakdown, prediction
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The key player
It’s Embiid, all the way. In his last appearance against Brooklyn, Embiid had 39 points, 13 rebounds and six assists.
He torches the combination of Jarrett Allen and Ed Davis in the middle for the Nets, so whatever advantage Brooklyn might establish on the perimeter can be wiped out by Embiid playing the wrecking ball on the interior. But he’s got to be healthy.
The big number
102.64. That was the Sixers’ pace factor this season, eighth in the NBA. They prefer to play fast.
But maybe not against the Nets, who have a pace factor of 101.78, 11th in the league. They, too, can play fast and considering their depth in the backcourt — as well as the advantage Embiid gives them in the half-court game — it might be wise for the Sixers to slow things down.
Neither team is particularly efficient in transition, but slowing things down would play more to Philadelphia’s advantages.
76ers vs. Nets prediction
The Nets have what it takes to put a scare into the Sixers, but not enough frontline talent to move to the second round. It’s been a brilliant season in Brooklyn, and being able to push Philly in this series should be taken as a positive.
76ers over Nets, 4-3
