Philadelphia 76ers: 5 keys to second round series vs. Raptors

5. Hit 3-pointers

This key seems simplistic enough for any team in this 3-point centric era of NBA basketball. It is of specific importance, though, to a Sixers squad that’s not the best outside shooting team but could use some prowess more than most.

Philly ranked 19th during the regular season in both 3-pointers made and attempted. J.J. Redick is the only reputable sniper on the team, shooting 39.7 percent from downtown on 8.0 attempts per game. Aside from him, the Sixers are loaded with streaky shooters who could go 4-of-5 just as easily as they could lay a goose egg in any given game.

For as talented a unit as they are, the 76ers’ roster isn’t built the most cohesively. Joel Embiid is best near the restricted area, but so is the perimeter shot-frightened Ben Simmons. Jimmy Butler is at his best with the ball in his hands and shot just 33.8 percent from beyond the arc during the regular season.

These overlapping skill-sets allow the opposition to send double-teams and pack the paint, which in turn limits Philly’s offensive productivity. Whether it’s Redick or Tobias Harris, who canned half of his 20 attempts from beyond the arc in the first round, the Sixers will need their perimeter guys to keep defenses honest with their outside strokes. Otherwise, their stars will have little room to operate with.