Sir Charles in Charge
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2018 NBA Playoffs Roundtable: Embiid vs. Whiteside; Raptors vs. history

By Michael Saenz

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 06: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after a play against the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on March 6, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 06: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after a play against the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on March 6, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Which first-round series will last the longest? 

Flynn: The Miami vs. Philadelphia series will most likely be the longest. It’s due to the depth of both teams, as well as the weird mix of young guys and veterans who have been there before. Expect a 7-game series with some overtime games and as I’ve already pointed out, some fights.

Patel: Wizards vs. Raptors is going 7. Like previously discussed,  both these teams are consistently inconsistent and match up pretty well against each other. It’€™s going to come down to which backcourt can execute the best – for my money, I think it will be Beal and Wall.

Something about the up and down season leads me to believe that they will play their best ball in the post season and it is no secret that the Wizards openly pined for the Wizards in the first round according to Chris Webber. I believe there is truth to Webber’€™s point – I expect a 7 game series with all the pressure on the home team in Game 7, ultimately leading to yet another collapse but Lowry and company.

Osborne: 76ers-Heat and Bucks-Celtics. Both of these series look like they’€™ll go 6 or 7 games while the others are likely over in 5.

Early: Sixers-Heat. The Celtics-Bucks should be a great series also. Brad Stevens and some kids vs. one of the best players alive. I think the Bledsoe trade has been pretty disappointing and could cost them a tantalizing prospect like Anfernee Simons. But EB starts to make more of a name for himself next week.

But because Joel Embiid will miss games, I think much of the fun the Sixers have been having without him gets cut short. I think Miami steals one in Philly and sets the series for 7.

McFee: The short answer to this question is Indiana-Cleveland, to the tune of 7 games. Again, I’m not saying Cleveland is going to lose to Indiana, but I won’t necessarily be surprised if they do either. Without going into too much detail on each of the other series, the only other series I could see going 7 is Boston-Milwaukee. The rest I see finishing in 6 or sooner.