The Philadelphia 76ers faced off against the Toronto Raptors in the Round 1 of the 2022 Playoffs. It was an amazing series that went to six games and in the end, concluded with the 76ers being victorious.
While the 76ers took a 3-0 lead in the series, they lost Games 4 and 5, giving a scare to the fans. After all, it was Doc Rivers at the helm, who is infamous for losing 3-1 leads in the playoffs.
He has done that three times in his coaching career, which is the most for any coach in NBA history. Fortunately for Rivers, the 76ers played extremely well in Game 6 and won it to advance to the next round.
Otherwise, fans might have to get ready for another press conference where Rivers berated people for bringing up the fact that he has blown multiple 3-1 leads.
Now, the next target for the Rivers-led 76ers is the number one seeded Miami Heat. The Heat finished the regular season with the best record in the conference and continued that red-hot form in the postseason.
They wrapped up the series in just five games as they comfortably won against the Atlanta Hawks 4-1.
Before the much-anticipated Round 2 series begins between the 76ers and the Heat, Rivers shared his game plan for playing against the top-seeded team.
“We’re going to go play grown men, and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Doc on the Heat: "We're going to go play grown men, and we're looking forward to the challenge."
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) April 29, 2022
Everyone is aware of the style of basketball that the Miami Heat plays and defeating them will not be an easy task by any means.
But at the same time, the 76ers are the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference. The superstar duo of Joel Embiid and James Harden is a nightmare for most opponents on any given day.
However, the Heat have their own superstar duo of Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler, who will have the task of containing Philly’s tandem. During the regular season, the two teams faced off four times and won two games each. So everyone is wondering which team will advance to the Eastern Conference Finals? We will find out soon.
