3 very bold predictions for Raptors-76ers first-round playoff series

1. The Raptors win in six games

The Raptors have apparently cracked the Philadelphia code. The Raptors only lost to the 76ers once in four tries this season, and that was a game where Tremont Waters and Daniel Oturu saw some rotation minutes. Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam have been too much for Philly to handle this season.

Though VanVleet has struggled to stay healthy this season, the combination of his clutch shot-making and Siakam’s second-half surge might be enough to give Toronto the edge here. What will really take Toronto over the top is the combination of star power and A+ support from tertiary players.

The Toronto Raptors could upset the 76ers.

While Harris and Maxey are certainly capable of winning games for Philadelphia, we’ll need to be convinced that they can do it in the postseason. Doc Rivers’ history of bungling postseason series likely will not help bolster confidence in Philadelphia’s chances to advance.

As long as VanVleet, Siakam, and Trent all score at rates that are similar to their regular-season averages, the Raptors should put together enough points to withstand whatever production Embiid and Harden can muster. Winning convincingly would establish Toronto as a firm candidate to come out of the East.