Heading into the final game of the 2018-19 NBA regular season, the Brooklyn Nets control their own destiny. If they win, they will face the Philadelphia 76ers. If they lose and the Magic win, they will face the Toronto Raptors. If the Magic lose to the Hornets the Nets will play the Sixers, regardless of the outcome of their game against the Miami Heat. So, the Nets can choose who they want to play. The Nets have had more success against the Sixers (2-2) but both of those wins came before the Sixers acquired Tobias Harris. The first even happened even before the Sixers got Jimmy Butler. The Nets and Sixers played just 2 weeks ago, and it did not go well for the Nets. They lost 123-110, and Joel Embiid scored 39 points. Embiid will be a matchup nightmare for the Nets if they end up playing the Sixers because they don’t have anyone strong enough to guard him. Jarrett Allen is a good shot blocker, but he gets abused by strong big men like Embiid due to his strength. When Embiid isn’t dominating, its Ben Simmons or Jimmy Butler or Tobias Harris or JJ Redick who can hurt you. However, the Nets can get to the Sixers. The Sixers have weak defenders, so guards Spencer Dinwiddie and Caris LeVert can drive right past the Sixers guards. If D’Angelo Russell can hit his mid-rangers and threes in addition to Dinwiddie and LeVert playing well, the Nets will be tough to beat.

The Nets finished the year 1-3 against the Toronto Raptors. Brooklyn played Toronto tough in all their games, but they just couldn’t come up with wins. Their one victory over the Raptors started their 8 game winning streak in December, during which the Nets broke their own 7 game losing streak. The Raptors are a matchup nightmare because they have so many guys who can hurt you. Kawhi Leonard leads the charge and then Kyle Lowry, Danny Green, Serge Ibaka, Pascal Siakim, and Marc Gasol all contribute. The Raptors are the second deepest team in the East (Bucks are #1) and a new player can go off on any given night. The only downside to the Raptors is that they have historically struggled in the post season. LeBron James and the Cavs have been their kryptonite, eliminating them 3 years in a row (including 2 sweeps). The Raptors have never made the NBA Finals, and went all in to this year by acquiring Kawhi Leonard. Brooklyn also has playoff success over Toronto, as the Paul Pierce Nets beat them in the first round back in 2014. It’s always good to bring up the 1 playoff series the Nets won that forfeited them 4 first round draft picks. Great trade Billy King. Personally, I would much rather face the Sixers than the Raptors. Both teams will be extremely tough, but I feel like the Nets can sneak a few wins against the Sixers. My goal is for the Nets to go 6 games with their first round matchup, and I believe that they have a much better chance doing that against the Sixers than the Raptors. Who knows, maybe the Nets can upset the Sixers and then beat Golden States in the finals.

#WeGoHard