Brooklyn Nets: Why the Nets can and cannot win the series against the Sixers

Why the Nets can win the series

The good news is that the pre-Brooklyn era Nets have beaten the Sixers in the playoffs before. The bad news is it was back in 1984, the last time these two teams met in the playoffs. So, the Nets and Sixers are 1-1 against each other historically in the playoffs. Which doesn’t say much because it’s been a while but also makes sense with how close these teams are this year.

But, the Nets could still win this playoff series. For once, I recently talked about how much of a roll D’Angelo Russell has been on. He has put basically the entire city of New York on his back the last few weeks and seems to be getting better as the games go on.

What is also beneficial to the Nets is that Joel Embiid, arguably the Sixers version of Russell in terms of value, might not play due to injury. He has been missing time, but if he misses times in the playoffs it makes the Nets better simply by making the Sixers worse.

Even if Embiid does not miss time and plays, it is highly likely he will be playing though an injury and that is tough to do in a potential seven game series. The Nets enter with their best player (Russell) in the prime of his career so far, advantage Nets. The Sixers have more fire power outside of Embiid, but he is still their best player.

Also, the Nets have recent history on their side that has nothing to do with their prior playoff history vs the Sixers. Just last year in the NBA playoffs, a six seed upset a three seed. The Pelican swept the Blazers last season. What is less ideal is the Sixers were the three seed last year as well, but still there is hope for the Nets, it was 50/50 last year.

This year alone, the Nets and Sixers are both great at home, each have over a .500 record. On the road these teams are just one game apart with the Nets only being one game worse at 19-22. The Nets are a solid road team and if they can get one win in Philly, it opens the door for them to advance.

The Sixers are typically a more efficient team than the Nets, and they score more points and rebound better, just look at the league wide stats per game. But , the one thing the Nets do better than the Sixers is shoot the three. Out of all the teams in the NBA, the Nets ranked fifth in 3PM per game at 12.8. The Sixers, they ranked 19th in the league at 10.8 per game. The Nets also shoot three more.

So, the Nets have one clear path they have to beating the Sixers. We know the Nets enter the series hotter and healthier than the Sixers but if the Nets go-to and execute the three ball early, they could set the tone for the series that they are going to have to earn it.

Overall, these teams are better at different things. Sixers better in the paint and scoring overall while the Nets are the better shooting team.

To be honest, I think the Sixers will win the series, aside from head to head matchup, which is important, the Sixers are just the better team. It is easy to say the Nets having D’Angelo Russell is going to put them over, but that alone does not have a lot of substance. At the same time, I really do think the Nets stand a fighting chance. This series shouldn’t be a blow out.

We have seen how hard it is for the Nets to give up and we have seen how clutch a player like Spencer Dinwiddie can be. It is just going to come down to the Nets shooting well and defending well. That has become their brand.

In a seven game series, the cream is going to rise to the top. If D’Angelo Russell is ready to put the Nets over the top, then it will happen. Anything can happen in the NBA playoffs and upsets happen all the time. Plus, LeBron James is no longer in the East, or even the playoffs for that matter, so this conference really is wide open for the first time in a while.

Nothing better than playoff basketball. Nothing better than rivalry basketball. It’ll be two of teams Dr. J helped put on the map for the right to advance in the playoffs. Should be enticing to watch.