EAST SEMIS
#2 TORONTO
#3 PHILADELPHIA
SEASON SERIES: TOR (3-1)
The 2019 Toronto Raptors started this years postseason in resemblance of past Raptors teams. Kyle Lowry going (0 pts - 0/7 FG - 0/6 3PT) in game 1 was no surprise as his recent slump in game 1's continue. Another (50) win season, this year (58); one shy of their franchise record (59) from last season. Once more home court, being taken away momentarily by the Orlando Magic's DJ Augustine of all people. However, the additions of Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green have bought a veteran calmness to this team alongside the emergence of what should be the 2019 Most Improved Player, Paschal Siakam, Toronto seems primed for a deep postseason run after defeating the Magic in (5) games. Defense a staple of their identity all season especially with the pieces they added, continues to be their bread and butter. After Orlando shot (48% 3PT) in their game 1 win; the Magic never shot above (30%) again from behind the arc; (26%, 29%, 21%, 26%). The Raptors were able to stop the pick and roll action from Orlando limiting their All Star center Nikola Vucevic to just (11.2 ppg / 8 rpg / 36% FG) in comparison to the regular season the big man averaged (20.8 ppg / 12 rpg / 51% FG). As I mentioned the stellar play of Siakam (22.6 ppg / 8.4 rpg / 53% FG) has everyone in Canada chanting, "We the North." Now in his 3rd season he recorded a playoff career high 30 points in game 3 including some clutch baskets down the stretch of that game. Siakam has shown he can play some good basketball on both ends of the floor during the Orlando series. Alongside one the leagues deepest benches and having the former 2x Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard (27.8 ppg / 6.6 rpg) in a Raptors uni, this years team has a different vibe than the past postseason failures of Toronto.
Cell phone-gate, Dudley versus Simmons, Embiid health, the postgame laugh, Butler/Dudley ejections, Nets GM getting suspended a game; the fact that their were more headlines about non-basketball situations between Philadelphia and Brooklyn definitely made that series seem much longer than it was. Just like their counterpart, the Sixers were able to finish Brooklyn off in (5) games as well. Brooklyn also found a way to steal game 1 on the 76ers home court. That game one loss was heard loud and clear in Philly as their faithful fans "boo'd" the team as they exited their game 1 loss. Ben Simmons seemed to downplay the fans reactions and didn't take much from it. Simmons was criticized for clubbing prior to game 1 an after taking just (9) shot attempts in their game one loss, Simmons and company responded scoring (145) points as they routed the Nets. He finished with his first career playoff triple double (18 pts / 12 ast / 10 reb). Game 2 saw Philly shoot (18/25 FG / 11/11 FT) and put up (51) points in the 3rd quarter alone, which tied an NBA postseason record for points in a quarter. No Embiid (24.8 ppg / 13.5 rpg / 3.8 bpg) in game 3; allowed the likes of JJ Redick (26 pts) and newly acquired forward Tobais Harris (29 pts / 16 reb) to find their shot. The duo went (11/16) from 3PT, Harris (6/6) an alongside Simmons (31 pts) a career high, became the first Sixers trio to score (25+) in a playoff series since 1978. Embiid returned as Philadelphia once again put together two solid games to close the series. Jimmy Butler has played superb on both ends of the floor and his ability to bring the ball up and play point guard has taken some pressure and duties off of Ben Simmons. Philly totaled (612) points in (5) games which was the most in a (5) game span since 1989. The 76ers shot almost (50% FG) for the series while outrebounding the Nets (+80) and points in the paint (+78). 
Definitely a stat Philly must bring with them if they want to move on to their first eastern conference finals since a guy named Allen Iverson, you may have heard of him, was playing for the franchise. Toronto has had the Sixers number all season. Winning (3 of the 4) matchups as they pretty much dominated the Sixers in their victories. Their lone loss came when Kawhi Leonard didn't play, "load management." Just as Philadelphia controlled the paint and force the 76ers into a flourish of turnovers. Toronto averaged (54.5) points in the paint compared to (45.5) by Philly. While the 76ers committed around (18.8) turnovers per game. (73) turnovers in (4) games will not help you survive and advance if I'm in the Sixers. Ben Simmons has been the culprit of most of their turnover detriment. Simmons averaging (5.5) turnovers per game. Toronto plays sound defense as they were forcing Ben to do more than he should had. Simmons needs to become a shell of himself and revert back to old ways. Sixers head coach Brett Brown has seemed to be reluctant in giving Jimmy Butler playing time at point which could eliminate some of Simmons turnover issues. Finding ways to play off the ball for Simmons will be key. Though he will not look to shoot; slashing and cutting the basket off the ball may bring more success for the young guard. The Raptors points in the paint recipe also gave them an advantage at the free throw line. Toronto has been one of the best team free throw shooting teams (80% FT) in the NBA during the regular and postseason. In their second matchup; Jimmy Butler's first with the Sixers, Butler dropped (38 pts / 10 reb) however, it was not enough as Leonard's (36 pts / 9 reb / 5 stls) proved to be the difference. Leonard averaging (11 FT) attempts a night against Philly and his capabilities to get draw attention and create (and 1) opportunities should be beneficial during the series. If, Paschal Siakam can get to the line more, Philly will definitely be in trouble. Siakam has shown he can shoot the mid-range, developed a 3 PT shot, and with his length can be a disturbance on the defensive end; however, he can put the ball on the floor and create for himself and that can lead to more attempts at the line. Siakam shot (90%) from the FT line, but if he is able to get his own shot going downhill towards the basket puts more strain on Philadelphia's defense and will open up the floor more for other players. 
Depth is key for the Raptors as in each game they had at least 6 players score in double-figures in all (4) of their matchups against the 76ers. With Leonard (22) and Lowry (17) games missed this season, has allowed the bench to get plenty of time to get their bearings together for deep run. Danny Green who hasn't shot the ball well from (35% - 3PT) this postseason but during the regular season (45% - 3PT). While Fred VanFleet has proven to be justifiable reserve behind Kyle Lowry who can be vastly inconsistent. Norman Powell, Jeremy Lin, and OG Anunoby bring a sense of depth that Philly lacks. Besides their "on paper" starting 5 of death (Embiid, Simmons, Redick, Butler, and Harris). Beside the Houston Rockets, the 76ers bench is abysmal. Joel Embiid averaged (26.3 ppg / 11.8 rpg) during the regular season versus Toronto. Embiid ranks #1 in rebounding and blocks during the playoffs. But his endurance has been a factor. Embiid missed game 3 of the Nets series, and now with Mike Scott may be sidelined (heel) injury, the lack of depth may have to step it up a notch. Boban Marjanovic (10.8 ppg / 6.2 rpg 58% FG) presence as well as Greg Monroe on both ends of the floor will be needed depending on the health of Embiid. Being said, both Boban and Monroe are defensive liabilities that Toronto will and can exploit when their on the court. Running JJ Redick off the (3 PT) line, denying Simmons the paint and forcing Tobais Harris into contested jumpers seems suitable for the Raptors. If they get Embiid into forcing long perimeter shots instead of attacking the paint, the Sixers will be an early exit once more. Kawhi Leonard averaged (30.3 ppg / 7.7 rpg / 4 spg) while shooting (48% FG / 50% 3PT / 90% FT). Leonard just does it all. However the Sixers starting 5 is capable of this on any given night. Impact players come from the Raptors. Serge Ibaka destroyed Philly this season in 3 games (18 ppg / 8.6 rpg). His presence in the paint getting rebounds and making life difficult in the post gave Toronto a clear advantage while the addition of Marc Gasol will be pivotal. Gasol and Ibaka put the clamps on Vucevic, although Embiid is a more polished and different player, the defensive minded combination of Gasol/Ibaka will cause fits for an impatience at times and undisciplined Philadelphia team. The 76ers averaging (122.3 ppg) during this years playoffs, that will likely go down versus the 5th rated defensive ranked team. Points off turnover will be key. The Sixers have not won at Toronto since November of 2012. I like Philly, a lot. In an ideal world, Sixers staring 5 versus GSW would be prime for the NBA Finals. However, I don't trust Brett Brown as a coach, lack of depth, inconsistent, the growth of the 76ers? Yeah I am still waiting, and who is really their go-to-guy down the stretch of games. While Nick Nurse seems to have a hold of his team, they play defense, deep bench, and we all know who is getting the ball late in games for the baby dinosaurs, #2 - KLAW. TORONTO IN 6
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