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5 numbers to know about the Sixers’ first round matchup with Washington

By David Esser

Jan 6, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) handles the ball against Washington Wizards guard Ish Smith (14) during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) handles the ball against Washington Wizards guard Ish Smith (14) during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 14, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons (25) dribbles the ball against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

5

Last but most definitely not least, “five” represents the number of times an 8 seed has actually managed to upset a 1 seed in NBA history. The list goes as following:

  • 1994 Denver Nuggets upset Seattle Supersonics, 3-2
  • 1999 New York Knicks upset Miami Heat, 3-2
  • 2007 Golden State Warriors upset Dallas Mavericks, 4-2
  • 2011 Memphis Grizzlies upset San Antonio Spurs, 4-2
  • 2012 Philadelphia 76ers(!) upset Chicago Bulls 4-2

While it’s undoubtedly become more common over the past two decades or so compared to some of the early NBA years, the odds of such a feat happening are remarkably low. The Sixers are the 1 seed for a reason and the Wizards are the 8 seed for their own respective reason – let’s not overthink this thing too much.

As long as Philly shows up healthy and plays the way they’ve been playing all season long, they should be able to coast to a four-to-five game series win, and onto a second round matchup with the likes of either Atlanta or New York.

Landing Seth Curry was one of the better trades in Sixers franchise history. dark. Next

Nothing is ever guaranteed in the NBA, but first round series when you’re the top seed shouldn’t be some sort of super stressful event. Grabbing a quick series win allows you to rest up for the second round, and keeps the momentum on your side for future opponents.

Four/five game series win, that should be the expectation here.