Philadelphia 76ers vs. Brooklyn Nets: 3 bold predictions and a series pick

Breaking down the first-round NBA Playoff series between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets, while offering a series prediction.

The Philadelphia 76ers are set to square off with the Brooklyn Nets in the first-round playoff series in the 3-6 matchup in the Eastern Conference. And with so much at stake this postseason, the Sixers are one of the teams that have to be considered one of the more intriguing teams to keep an eye on.

Is this finally the year where they make a deep playoff run? Are Joel Embiid and James Harden a duo that will be able to carry the Sixers to a championship? Will head coach Doc Rivers manage to hit all the right buttons this time around?

From all indications, it seems – and feels – like one last run for the Sixers’ core. Can they deliver? Heading into this first-round series, we explore three bold predictions and a series pick.

Bold prediction No. 1: Joel Embiid will continue his MVP dominance

In what has been an outstanding and a pretty unprecedented season, I predict that heading into this first-round matchup with the Nets that Joel Embiid is going to continue his NBA MVP dominance. Embiid is coming off a sensational season in which he averaged 33 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists per game on 55 percent shooting from the field and 33 percent shooting from 3-point range.

He has carried the Sixers into a dark horse contender in the Eastern Conference and if this team is finally going to break through in the conference, it will largely be on the back of Embiid and his greatness. Embiid will continue to prove that he should be the NBA MVP as he gets the Sixers off to a strong start to the postseason.