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Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers playoff schedule released for first round against Brooklyn Nets

By Dan Parzych

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 09: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena on April 09, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 09: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena on April 09, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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The playoffs will officially begin on Saturday for the Philadelphia 76ers against the Brooklyn Nets.

Even though the Philadelphia 76ers already had the No. 3 seed locked up in the Eastern Conference for the playoffs, Brett Brown‘s team didn’t find out the Brooklyn Nets would be their opponent until Wednesday night.

After splitting the series (2-2) during the regular season, all eyes will be on the Sixers to see if they have what it takes to take down the inexperienced Nets in the playoffs with a much better team compared to last year.

Despite failing to add a superstar in the offseason, Philadelphia did come through with some key trades during the regular season by bringing Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris on board to join one of the league’s top duos in Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.

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Like most teams, the Sixers have gone through their fair share of struggles at times throughout the regular season, but hopefully Brown will have this team ready for the start of this series against the Nets, which will officially begin on Saturday.

Right away, one of the main factors that stands out about this series is how the travel will be limited for the two teams when seeing how the drive from Philadelphia to Brooklyn and vice versa really isn’t too bad compared to what other teams will be dealing with.

As for what to expect from the Sixers, well all the work put in over the last year to make sure this team is in better position to make a run at the NBA Finals will be put to test right away when facing the Nets.

This season has been filled with numerous surprise contenders in both conferences, but after looking at all  of the struggles that Brooklyn has been dealing with over the previous three seasons, no one saw this coming.

By splitting the season series, the Nets have already proven they have what it takes to compete with a team like the Sixers, and just because Philadelphia finished with the better record doesn’t mean they’re guaranteed to win.

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One game obviously won’t determine the outcome of an entire series, but for the Sixers, here’s to hoping they get off to the right start by winning that first game over the Nets on Saturday to give them an early advantage.