NBA on TNT analyst Shaquille O’Neal has predicted Eastern Conference giants Philadelphia 76ers to breeze past the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
As the 2021-22 NBA regular season comes to an end, the postseason will now get underway. With a number of exciting playoff matches in store, NBA analyst Shaquille O’Neal has already made a few bold predictions.
The four-time NBA champion believed that the Philadelphia 76ers will ‘sweep’ the Toronto Raptors in their first round playoff matchup. The Raptors finished in 5th place on the Eastern Conference table while the Sixers finished in 4th.
The two Eastern Conference teams will now be in for a mouthwatering series which is expected to produce some fireworks in the first round of the playoffs. But Shaq has already predicted the Sixers to beat comfortably beat the Raptors. While speaking as an analyst on TNT, the 50 year old NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal said, “Toronto is going to get swept. Write it down.”
Why Shaquille O’Neal’s prediction on Sixers vs Raptors is bang on target?
The Sixers will be eager to end their long drought for an NBA Championship. And with their current team, the Sixers looks like the favourites to end that wait for glory. They are also tipped as major favourites against the 2019 NBA champions in the first round of their playoffs.
With Joel Embiid leading the pack, the Sixers look a different outfit altogether. Tobias Harris has also put in a decent shift once again this season and will be aiming to help in getting his team past the Raptors in the first round. The addition of James Harden will play a factor in the team. Doc Rivers’ side have a habit of turning up in the big games and the Raptors will have to be at their A-game to cause any potential upset.
More so, the Sixers did finish as the Conference champions last season and were eliminated only by the New York Knicks. The Sixers have also had an even have a happier and vibrant roster with the departure of Ben Simmons.
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