The Philadelphia 76ers are set to face the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. However, unlike the other match-ups, many see this showdown to be a one-sided affair due to the difference in talent between the two teams. With that said, we continue our playoffs prediction series and make out Sixers vs. Nets prediction and pick.
2023 NBA Playoffs: Sixers vs. Nets Series Schedule
Game 1: Nets @ Sixers - April 15
Game 2: Nets @ Sixers - April 17
Game 3: Sixers @ Nets - April 20
Game 4: Sixers @ Nets - April 22
Game 5: Nets @ Sixers - April 24 (If necessary)
Game 6: Sixers @ Nets - April 27 (If necessary)
Game 7: Nets @ Sixers - April 29 (If necessary)
Read More: Draymond Green's Lakers-Grizzlies Prediction
Why Sixers Could Win Playoff Series vs. Nets
The Sixers not only have homecourt advantage here, but they also have the star power. If you are against a team with a superstar duo like Joel Embiid and James Harden, as well as a rising star in Tyrese Maxey, you need to have at least two superstars who can match up with them.
Embiid is coming off an MVP-caliber season, and he looks more than ready for a deep postseason run. He has been really dominant all season long, and it's hard to see anyone from the Nets actually stopping him. The Cameroonian big man averaged 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.0 steal and 1.7 blocks in 66 games in 2022-23, all while shooting 54.8 percent from the field and 33.0 percent from deep.
JoJo gets it done on both ends of the floor, and the presence of Harden--who has embraced a full-time playmaking role--makes the Sixers even more dangerous. They just have too much talent to easily fall in the first round.
Why Nets Could Win Playoff Series vs. Sixers
With all due respect to the Nets, there is no denying that they are the odd man out in the 2023 NBA Playoffs. After trading both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, they entered in a rebuild mode with Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson at the core.
Lucky for them, the group with KD and Kyrie has won enough games to put them in a great position to make the postseason despite the up-and-down run the team had following their departure.
If there is one saving grace for the Nets in this series with the Sixers, it's their 3-point shooting. The team has seen their 3-point rate jump to 43.7 percent in the post-Durant and Irving era, which could definitely make things a little difficult for the Sixers.
Furthermore, with Mikal Bridges motivated to take down the team that traded him at draft night, there is hope the Nets could put up a fight.
Sixers vs. Nets Prediction and Pick
While we wish this will be an intense match-up, it's just hard to see it going that way. The difference in talent is clear and the Sixers have just been so good all season long.
This should be a good experience for the Nets as they build for the future, but don't expect them to pull off a massive upset. They might be able to take a game away from Philly, but that's how far we see them going. A sweep is also a real possibility.
Sixers vs. Nets Prediction: Sixers in five!
Related Article: 2023 NBA Playoffs: Cavs vs. Knicks Prediction
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