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Jonathan Isaac: A Unicorn on the Defensive End (Part 2)

Philadelphia 76ers (3) vs. Miami Heat (7) Preview

This is set to be a very interesting series. The Sixers have shown that the Proccess has been working so far. Just two years ago they won a league worst 10 games. In just two short seasons, they imporve their win total by a whopping 42 games. The Heat on the other end re-aquire franchise star Dwyane Wade and he's been showing he's not done yet. The Heat after missing the playoffs last year by a game, despite their amazing play in the second half of the season, are hungry to have some success. This is set to be a great and complicated series.
The Sixers won 52 games and earned the third seed. No one saw this coming as they had essentially two rookies leading them. However, Joel Embiid has looked amazing and a all-nba lock, Ben Simmons hasn't looked like a rookie at all looking like a seasoned vet ready to dominate. They have a deep team with Covington, Reddick, Saric, Fultz and players like shooters off the bench. Embiid has shown flashes of being the best big in the league, and has the potential to be an all-time great center. His impact on both sides of the floor can't be understated as the Sixers are a whole 11 points better with him on the court. That's a scary part of the series as we don't know how quickly he can get back on the court and start playing at 100%. Ben Simmons has looked amazing and the lack of a jumper has not stopped him from being effective. Along with Embiid they look like modern day Magic and Kareem. The shooters like Reddick, Covington, Ilysova and others help Simmons wreck havock in the paint. With all this being said the Sixers are coming into the playoffs massively overrated. Yes, they have won 16 games in a row but 13 of them against teams under .500. They are a good team but let's pump the brakes on a potential finals run. They are on the easy side of teh bracket, with injuries to the Celtics but this Heat series won't be a walk in the park. 

The Miami Heat looked like a middle of the pact team, for most the season. Losing Waiters really hurt this team as they lost their go-to player. However, trading for Dwyane Wade has shown to be an amazing move as they get a proven closer. Wade still has the ability dominate in the 4th and close out games. They have gunners in Dragic and Richardson and a big to compete with Embiid in Whiteside. They aren't as talented as the Sixers but have vets and smart coaching on their side.

The Sixers are a great team, but Miami will construct a very good game plan under coach Spo and limit Simmons and his creating ability. With no Embiid for now, Whiteside can take advatage and claim the paint. The Sixers are a young team and none of their main guys have been to playoffs, they will have an adjustment period. However, I think Embiid will come back and the Sixers have too much talent on their side to go down. With game seven on their court, I see them prevailing.

In a hard fought series, I'm going Sixers in seven.

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