Matchups that will decide Philadelphia 76ers vs. Atlanta Hawks: JC/Capela vs. Embiid
John Collins was relatively quiet in Atlanta’s first-round series against the Knicks, but he’s going to have to play a bigger role if the Hawks are going to keep up with the Sixers on the offensive end of the floor. Collins will have to be a factor offensively and Clint Capela is going to have to be one defensively (on Embiid).
Embiid will need to be great, and this is the area where the Sixers will miss him most. The Sixers are no longer playing the Washington Wizards. With all due respect to the Wizards, the Hawks have a frontcourt that can keep up with Embiid on both ends of the floor (or at least as best as humanely possibly).
If Collins and Capela play at a high level and Embiid isn’t 100 percent, this is where the series can tilt the other way. Conversely, if Collins and Capela can’t keep their individual matchups with Embiid, it’s going to be a long series for the Hawks.