The Brooklyn Nets have been on a tear since trading for James Harden including winning 8 straight games. They have the top offense in the league averaging 121 points per game. Brooklyn has been without the Nets Star Forward Kevin Durant during this 8-game winning streak. James Harden has blended nicely into his role as the point guard with his focus on facilitating and scoring when he needs to. Kyrie Irving is helping carry the scoring load especially with Durant being out averaging 27 points a game. There defense has improved over the last 10 games as well allowing about 112 points per game. With the dynamic scoring trio, the question is can any team stop them.
The Philadelphia 76ers are the one team that can matchup well with the Nets out of the Eastern Conference. They are led by All Stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons who can matchup well defensively against the Nets. Tobias Harris, who is averaging 20 points a game will be key for them to beat the Nets with his ability to score on the perimeter. The Nets are very small on the inside ranking 18th in rebounding. Brooklyn’s rebounds per game each month have gone down every month since the Harden trade, from 45 to 40 in February. The Nets inability to rebound combined with Embiid’s ability to get to the free throw will make close games go in the Sixers favor. Embiid averages 11 free throw attempts a game and shoots 85%.
I predict the Nets will beat the 76ers in the Eastern Conference in 7 games. For Nets to do so they will need to acquire another big man such as Andre Drummond, in either a trade or signing a free agent who becomes available through the buyout market.
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