NBA Playoffs 2018-19: Predicting the NBA Playoffs First Round Results - Eastern Conference

#3 Philadelphia 76ers(3) vs Brooklyn Nets(6)

This would be the Nets' first postseason appearance since 2015.

Season Series: The Sixers and Nets are evenly matched (2-2) through the course of four regular season games played against each other.

With the Sixers' big man Joel Embiid listed as day-to-day - and the latest update listing him as doubtful for Game 1 against the Nets - because of his knee issues, the status quo of the Nets-Sixers series just got a bit more interesting. Philadelphia is clearly a better team when JoJo is on the court, however, they tend to play quite inefficient basketball when he's sidelined.

On the other hand, the Nets have nothing to lose. They will lay everything out on the floor and hope the balance tips in their favor. D'Angelo Russell and his team have seen a jump by six spots on the East leaderboard over the course of just one year.

They are on a rising curve with momentum on their side, whereas an Embiid-less Sixers side have turned out to be a pain to watch in the recent past.

Prediction: If Embiid returns in time, the Sixers may get rid of Brooklyn early, otherwise this one might go down to the wire, with Philly just about edging past the Nets.