Worst first-round opponent for each NBA Eastern Conference playoff team
Philadelphia 76ers: Toronto Raptors
A first-round matchup with the Boston Celtics isn’t ideal for a Philadelphia 76ers team with hopes of the conference finals before the season. There’s a scenario, though, where subtle tweaks to Philly’s spacing accentuates a noticeable size advantage that develops that matchup into a far more winnable one.
The same adjustments can’t be said against a Toronto Raptors team that’s built the second-best record in the east on the strength of a multi-faceted defense. Marc Gasol affords the necessary size to combat Joel Embiid, but both Serge Ibaka and Pascal Siakam offer alternatives to Al Horford in the middle.
light. Related Story. Sixers to go as far in playoffs as Joel Embiid carries them
Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet make up a hard-nosed backcourt that can chase shooters. OG Anunoby, Norman Powell and Siakam comprise a trio of switchable pieces to counter whatever wrinkles Brett Brown implements in an attempt to salvage his underachieving roster.
Six of the Raptors seven rotation pieces missed at least 11 games this season. That their defense remained No. 2 in the league speaks volumes not only to their depth but to Nick Nurse’s knowledge of how to implement it.
This is to say nothing of an offense with six players in double figures, including five putting up at least 16.0 points per game. Having to account for so many options can break the best of defenses. Who’s to say Philly’s top-10 defense is free of vulnerability?
The odds of such a matchup in the opening round aren’t likely. Philly is a lock to sit no lower than sixth with an identical record to the fifth-seeded Indiana Pacers. Toronto is three games up on Boston for the No. 2 seed.
More ground has been made up in similar time before. Considering all that would come from a disappointing first-round exit, the Sixers aren’t ones to root for it.