1st Round Playoff Preview Philadelphia V.S. Toronto

Four five matchups are anticipated as the closest series in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Yet do not expect this one to be all that close. The Raptors are a very solid team and have one of the best coaches in the league, but the 76ers have the best two players in the series.

Joel Embid and James Harden are both MVP-caliber guys when they are at their best. Both are as healthy as they have been all year which will bode trouble for the Raptors. Not only that, Tyrese Maxey has broken out this year, and Tobias Harris is very good when he is in his current role as a third/fourth option.

Prediction: 76ers

If games are close, who is the Raptors closer? Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet are both fringe all-stars, but neither is even close to being a top ten player. While the 76ers have two different guys that have proven they can take and make the big shot.