As a #2 seed, we shouldn't be worry about who our first round opponent is. Personally i think i am much happier with the Sixers than with the Heat and i can hardly wait for Saturday night's game. Yes, with Butler getting injured, Miami's a liability and might not even get past the Bulls. The Sixers are our indicator of how real our position in the standings before the playoffs is and if we can't knock them out in 5 games, then we might as well end any conversation.
Embiid is still not 100% ready and while he is making jumpshots and drawing a lot of fouls i think the Sixers need more from him to compete against our big guys. Yes, he put up great numbers against the Heat who were playing with a hobbled Butler for three quarters. Hell, we might face a bigger threat from Batum. The only thing that really worries me is the health of our core. Bogdanovic finally got comfortable with his role but the latest on his wrist had me a little concerned. However, from what i read is not on his shooting hand and chances are that he will not miss any post season action, let's hope that is true. So i believe that as long as our guys stay intact we won't have any problems against anyone until the conference finals.
Also, will the Bucks actually advance against the Pacers?
Rady .... We are in danger getting either team (Miami or Philly)., especially when you see these teams past postseason history having their star player.
Super Star Butler LUV beating HC Thibs, especially having Spoe/Riley/and Mourning wit.
And Super Star Embiid has always performed like a winning (injured) Horse in the First round, it's the 2nd round playoffs EmBiid can't win.
There was a reason HC Doc Rivers did not want the Bucks facing Philly or Miami in the first round?
Philly's star Embiid been a consecutive 2nd round playoff team since 2017-18
Miami's Butler/Spoe been to the FINALS twice in the past 4 seasons.
Our 3 seed Knicks team went 1-4 in the first round, without Mitch, and coach Mike Woodson.
Our 2 seed Knicks are without Randle.
It's not that I don't have confidence in the Nova Trio in the regular season games ....
But this is the postseason.
The Knicks Frontcourt trio lineup of OG, Randle, and Hartenstein, was the # 1 winning frontcourt lineup in the EAST during the month of January.
If we had those 3 players entering the playoffs with the return of Mitch ..
Me and millions of Knicks fans would be yelling to the stars the Knicks in 4 or 5 games vs 76ers or Heats !!!