Worst first-round opponent for each NBA Eastern Conference playoff team

Miami Heat: Philadelphia 76ers

The Sixers certainly didn’t offer much resistance against the Miami Heat during the regular season, losing three of their four contests. Yet, for all the expectations they’ve failed to reach, Philly remains irresistible to bet against. You assume their overwhelming talent will find a way to click.

To his credit, Brown isn’t afraid of getting unconventional to uncover the ideal fix. Al Horford spent time coming off the bench before Ben Simmons’ back injury forced a return to the starting unit. The three-game experiment bred an encouraging win over the LA Clippers and provided the spacing Philly so desperately lacked.

Simmons has been utilized as a power forward at practice down in the bubble in another attempt to open the floor, moving Horford to the bench and Shake Milton into the starting lineup. We’re sure to get our first glimpse once scrimmaging commences.

There’s no telling whether any of these trials will work to the Sixers benefit. Which opponent would want to be the test subject against a team that, despite its flaws, still houses one of the better on-paper lineups including two All-Stars?

A proud team like the Heat would never back down to a challenge. Considering the supreme alternative of playing Indiana, that doesn’t mean some within Miami wouldn’t be relieved at avoiding a first-round opponent with as much boom-or-bust potential as any other around the league.