NBA: 8 takeaways from the first round of playoffs

What can we expect heading into each conference’s semi-finals and what have we learned as the first round of the NBA Playoffs comes to an end?

The second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs officially begins this weekend. Before moving on, though, what are some takeaways from the first round? We explore.

Philadelphia 76ers outmatch Brooklyn Nets

This series was as a real gladiator battle. The Brooklyn Nets tried their best to give the Philadelphia 76ers a real run for their money, but D’Angelo Russell simply couldn’t finish strong with so much adversity in a power-stacked Philadelphia starting lineup.

Joel Embiid was practically unstoppable no matter who guarded him, averaging 24.8 points and 13.5 rebounds throughout the series. Tobias Harris has really enveloped well with his new team putting up 17.6 points a game. The whole team benefited from Ben Simmons‘ ball movement with 7.9 assists per game. Of course, it being a division rival matchup things got chippy in the later games but at the end of it, all the Nets were simply outmatched in every position and had no answer for the almighty Embiid.

The Sixers are looking hot right now and with their next opponent being the powerhouse Toronto Raptors, we might be in store for the best playoff series of the postseason.