The Eastern Conference Finals are halfway set, with the No. 1 seed Bucks set to face the winner of the Raptors/Sixers series. And while the Bucks ended up making quick work of the Celtics after losing Game 1 of that series, the match-up against Toronto or Philadelphia figures to be much more difficult.
The series between the Raptors and Sixers is now tied 3-3, and both teams have shown promise as a potential NBA Finals participant during stretches this postseason. Kawhi Leonard is having an all-time great postseason, while both Jimmy Butler and Joel Embiid (when ostensibly healthy) have played great games.
Milwaukee took two of three contests from the Sixers this season, splitting the match-ups in Wisconsin and winning in Philly, while the Raptors lost their regular season series to the Bucks 3-1 (split in Milwaukee with the Bucks winning both contests in Toronto).
So, based on the above and any other factors you may consider, which match-up do you think would be the most compelling? Would either of the series go the full seven games? Could there be a sweep? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Philly much easier matchup.
1. Embiid isn’t 100% and Giannis too quick for him
2. Giannis abuses Simmons
3. PHI bench is weak; MKE bench dominated BOS bench and now they got Brogdon back
4. TOR has the tools on paper, to give MKE fits inside with Gasol-Ibaka-Siakam and Kawhi locking down Middleton on the wing.
So you think Simmons will just lay down and forfeit? I’ll take the Sixers in 6, all it would take is Ben Simmons to choose to be aggressive.
Yeah…that’s all it would take…sure…
Have you watched the sixers/raptors series? Because calling the sixers bench weak when the raptors bench has been historically awful is kinda funny.
Philly easier matchup for the Bucks
in the end it doesn’t matter Raptors would take them to 6, Philly probably gets swept. I’m more interested in who comes out of the west as long as GS isn’t that team it’s a win… Here’s to hoping Portland comes through.
Philly is clearly the best match up (if Embiid is healthy, of course) you just have to watch the RS games between them. In both of them Giannis/Embiid played historic games, some oftheir best in their careers. It would be way super cool to see them fighting it out on a 7 game series for the finals!!!
I’m laughing because all it takes Philly to dismantle the whole the NBA is Ben Simmons choosing to steam roll towards the rim every possession and be aggressive. No one can stop the kid jumpshot or no jumpshot, at 6’10 230 he covers ground like no other player in the league on fast breaks.
You’re describing a worse player than Giannis as if he’s better
Not saying he’s better but who’s to know how Ben Simmons would approach that series. You are not in his body and mind, maybe he’s trolling all the haters but the kid is no slouch and was the number 1 overall pick for a reason.
You said he covers ground like no other.. Giannis is better than Ben Simmons at pretty well anything Ben Simmons is good at. He’s got a long ways to go to even be mentioned alongside today’s great players
Yeah gee, I wonder if Simmons will choose to steamroll the NBA or not? He hasn’t so far.
I mean, he’s averaging 14 PPG in the playoffs. Maybe he will choose to average 35.
Lets hope The 76ers get the chance.