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ECSF - 1. MIA vs 4. PHI

should be a heck of a series and probably quite competitive. i think the sixers are well poised to make their first ecf appearance in the process era.

This one will be fun. I expect a lot of techs.

Just came on to say congrats to the Sixers on effectively silencing the critics (and saving Glenn from further disgrace) in that second-half beatdown of the Raptors last night. Good luck in the next round. Should be a good series. Harden finally looked like Harden last night, Maxey was cooking, and Joel looked pissed off, but in a good way (not the sulky, frustrated way that we've seen before). Some people are predicting an easy time of it for the Heat, but I'm not so sure. I'll certainly keep watching!

76ers in 7.

Heat will win on coaching and bench superiority.

Adebayo said he should have been DPOY. This series is his chance to prove it.

This will be a very entertaining series, I think the talent level is close between these teams with the Sixers having the better top end talent while the heat have better depth talent. Here is my analysis..

I believe Bam is too short to guard Embiid, his size will be an issue vs Embiid, historically Harden has been a better player than Butler. If Harden can off set Butler’s production that’s a win for the sixers.

Tyrese Maxey has been a great 3rd option these playoffs averaging almost 22 5 and 5 and if he can outplay Herro that will be a big plus for Philly. Tobias may have a lot of room to have a great series, not sure if PJ Tucker will be sticking him but if they guard each other I expect Tobias to out perform him.

I’m expecting the starters to play heavy minutes so I’m not sure if the heats bench advantage will be much of a factor. Most of the sixers starters played 39-42 minutes last series vs Toronto.

Coaching will be huge in this series, I think Erik is the better coach but if Doc can somehow find a way to not squander leads that would be nice.

Matisse needs to be on butler for the duration of the series, Doc should also have Maxey Guard Lowry and let Harden Guard Strus, Obviously have Embiid and Tobias guarding the tucker/bam.

Harden>Lowry
Maxey=Herro(Herro doesn’t start but will finish games)
Matisse<Butler
Tobias>Tucker
Embiid>Bam
Philly Bench<Miami Bench
Doc<Erik

Sixers in 7

Heat in 6

I think this will go 7 games, very excited

Should be a great series, I can't see either team running away with it. Took heat in 7

I can't even pick, if Lowry and James Butler miss game 1, it could be a chance for the 76ers to steal a game on the road.

I have Miami taking this. They have more weapons, and a better coach.

Will be a very chippy and entertaining series. Heat in 7.

This should be a great series, so hopefully it doesn't disappoint. Should be pretty physical. I do like the way the Heat are built for the playoffs, but they need to be healthy. Heat in...6.

I think it's gonna be a competitive series but far be it from me to argue with Drake's expertise

6ers in 6.

I think it's a repeat of 2018 series against Celtics, so 4-1 for Heat.

Backcountry wrote:Just came on to say congrats to the Sixers on effectively silencing the critics (and saving Glenn from further disgrace) in that second-half beatdown of the Raptors last night. Good luck in the next round. Should be a good series. Harden finally looked like Harden last night, Maxey was cooking, and Joel looked pissed off, but in a good way (not the sulky, frustrated way that we've seen before). Some people are predicting an easy time of it for the Heat, but I'm not so sure. I'll certainly keep watching!

Thanks for the kind words. Raps, are a scrappy team, and not in a oh you suck and you're annoying way. You guys have such a great development program. I would kill to have one like yours. Basically the best in the league IMO. You guys need one player who can crack the top 10. If you get it via trade or development, you'll always have a soft spot in my heart because I lived in Toronto for 4 years. Awesome coach, and incredible crowd. Have a great offseason, and hope you all continue to develop next year, cheers! Future is bright!

Miami in 7

It comes down to fundamentals. With Embiid thumb a major problem with an already weak rebounding sixers team. I don't look at Embiid 33/10 performance yesterday. I look how he didn't box out or still favored trying to grab rebounds with the other hand. This will affect second chances for the Heat getting more possessions since sixers already one of the worse teams giving up offfensive rebounds. As possessions become more important, giving teams more chances is a recipe for diaster. Especially with a heat team that is a good 3 point shooting team.

Lowry (if healthy) and Butler both like to create contact. So if the refs want to be fair, these games may last over 4 hours with Embiid/Harden/Lowry and Butler all going to the free throw line over 40 times combined.

I think the Heat play more consistent especially on the defensive end than the sixers and that will be the reason they win the series in 5 or 6 games. Forget sixers 144.5 Offensive effiency last night. It was their defensive effort that won them the game (the offensive effiency gave them the 30 point blow out but the defensive effort was there). Miami brings that defensive effort every game. Sixers dont' give that same effort every game.

Sixers will try to attack Herro with Maxey. They kept attacking Herro with maxey blowing by him in the game without Harden or Embiid.

If Sixers can get Maxey to score 25 points, they win the game. He will be the x factor.

Bam while a great switch defender cannot guard Embiid one on one. That's why Miami Zone schemes to protect Bam.

In terms of matchups.
Lowry/Maxey
Bam/Embiid
Butler/Harris
PJ/? Harden
Herro/Duncan/Strus vs Green/Thybulle

Miami prays Thybulle gets to play more cause that will help their zone schemes more.