With the playoffs right around the corner, the Sixers have just about locked up the top spot in the Eastern Conference. With the new play-in format to secure the 7^th and 8^th seeds, the Sixers don’t know who they will face first. With teams still shuffling between 4^th and 8^th in the Eastern conference and the results of the play-in tournament not determined, the Sixers will have to wait to do their homework on it’s first-round opponent. With that being said, we have ranked the teams the Sixers may face in the first round from “cake walk” to “I’m nervous”.

6. Charlotte Hornets

The Sixers have dominated the Charlotte Hornets for the last few years, no matter who has been on the Hornets’ roster. The Sixers have won 13 straight games against this team, and I don’t think the Hornets would give this team any problem. They still don’t have anyone who can stop Joel from dominating every game against this team. Embiid would probably average 30 plus points per game and would lead the Sixers to a series sweep. Charlotte has a really promising future with their back court, especially Lamelo Ball and Terry Rozier, but Kemba Walker isn’t walking through that door.

5. The Boston Celtics

The Celtics have had the Sixers’ number since the run to the playoffs in 2018 and swept the Sixers out of the playoffs last season in the bubble. How poetic would it be for the Sixers to do the same to this year’s Celtics squad. Jaylen Brown is out due to season ending surgery. There is no big on the roster that could guard Embiid as he has dominated every matchup this season. Tatum would have to go off every game for this to be a competitive series, but it just wouldn’t be enough. Out of respect for the Celtics, I would give them the ability to get one game in the series and lose the series 4-1. The Celtics and their fans (Hello Bill Simmons 😊) want to be put out of their miseries from this underachieving season.

4. Indiana Pacers

The Pacers are pesky and could cause some slight problems for the Sixers. The Pacers stopped the squad from clinching the top seed on Tuesday night. The Pacers have some major injuries in their front court and would have trouble stopping the Big Fella. This team hustles and launches a ton of 3-pointers, which would keep them in games. They would be more annoying than scary. With a few close games, I see this series possibly being a gentleman’s sweep.

3. Washinton Wizards

The Wizards have hit their stride at the right time this season, pushing for the 10^th or 9^th spot in the play-in tournament. This team fought from the 12^th spot in the East to get to where they are now. A team with Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook can cause headaches for this team on the defensive end. But the good thing is the Wizards don’t believe in defense at all, so the Sixers could have their fair share of points they would score. With the recent history of the Sixers not winning too often in D.C., I could see the Wizards maybe winning a game. With two superstars like Westbrook and Beal, they could make things tough to solidify a complete sweep.

2. New York Knicks

Who thought we would be talking about the Knicks as a potential playoff opponent AND being a team that could bring the Sixers some trouble? The Knicks’ defense is great and Juluis Randle has been playing like a star all season. I think this team could get a win at home against the Sixers but that is about it. They do not score enough offensively and would not be able to contain Embiid or Harris. The reason they are high on this list because their physicality. The Sixers would win this series but be left a little beat down after, which could affect how they play in the next round.

1. Miami Heat

They have come back from the dead for Jimmy Butler to try to haunt the Sixers. This team is a good defensive team and could cause problems schematically for the Sixers. Erik Spolestra is a great coach, but I think a little overrated. Everyone in Philly wants to avoid playing the Heat in the playoffs, but we will face them at some point. Yes, it would be a challenging and competitive series, but the Sixers would pull out a win in 6 games. I am confident about that. All I have to say to everyone about being scared of the Heat, IF YOU SCARED GET A DOG!!!