The last day of NBA regular-season games has been played out. Standings are set and the play-in and playoffs are all anybody can think about. In the East, 3 teams tied with 51 wins, showcasing the level of competitiveness out there. One of those teams is the Philadelphia 76ers that will be taking on the Toronto Raptors in the first round. Everyone believes that the competitiveness over this 7 game series will be one to keep an eye on. Everybody except for Shaq.
The Toronto Raptors are currently sitting in the 5th seed in the East with 48 wins to their name. They are a worthy opponent but not considered contenders in the East.
Shaq heavily favors Sixers over Toronto Raptors
Due to the structure of the games in the playoffs, it’s not that hard to guess who would make it out of the first round. The best teams in the conference get the easier opponents, whereas the lower your seed is, the harder it gets. That is why predicting a 4 and 5 seed matchup is one of the hardest tasks to do as they are the most evenly matched games you’ll see in the 1st round.
However, in the case of the Toronto Raptors and the Philadelphia 76ers, Shaq believes it will be the least competitive matchup so far.
“Toronto is getting swept, write it down.”
Shaq believes the Raptors, who have had a good season, will see it all crumble in front of their eyes in the span of 4 games. Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson do not agree with Shaq but Shaq may have a good point.
“Toronto is getting swept, write it down.” – @SHAQ #Raptors #Sixers #WeTheNorth
(????: @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/tABbMQwuNS
— Tim and Friends (@timandfriends) April 11, 2022
The Philadelphia 76ers have the ‘almost guaranteed’ MVP in Joel Embiid. They also have James Harden, who has been averaging 21 points in his 21 games for Philly. Also, since the All-Star break, the Sixers have won 16 and lost just 8 games. One win more and they could’ve jumped up from the 4th to the 2nd seed.
The Toronto Raptors have seen a great resurgence from Pascal Siakam this season and Scottie Barnes has established himself as the best rookie in this class. However, they lack the firepower and do not have a direct matchup for Joel Embiid. That is exactly why Shaq and his prophecy for this first-round matchup could turn out to be true.