NBA legend Magic Johnson has admitted he has big concerns about the Philadelphia 76ers ahead of the NBA playoffs.
The 76ers are poised to be the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference bracket for the playoffs. They have enjoyed a fine season to date, although there have been concerns about the strength in depth of the squad.
Although they might be light of bodies on the bench, Joel Embiid has been tearing it up, and he should certainly be considered for the regular season MVP award. However, whether he does land the prize remains to be seen.
But Johnson – who is an NBA legend in his own right having lifted the title on five occasions during his career – has revealed why he thinks the 76ers will struggle in the playoffs.
When asked for his thoughts, Johnson said: “Until Tobias Harris becomes a factor on the offensive end, yes I’m concerned.
“Because when you think about it, they need him to take the pressure off Embiid – and that takes the ball out of James [Harden’s] hands. My problem with the Sixers is, [Harden]’s got it too much.
“What they have to do is definitely get the ball in [Harris’s] hands and get him involved more.
“Everybody knows they’re going to run that pick and roll, James is going to have it, and because of that, the great teams always beat them.”
Whenever the NBA playoffs roll around, there is always a palpable sense of excitement in the air, and although the regular season is grueling, this is where the teams that have extra in the tank can come to the fore and push for glory. The Milwaukee Bucks are the team to beat, as they are the reigning NBA champions after seeing off the Phoenix Suns 4-2 in the NBA Finals 12 months ago.
The NBA has a big following all over the world, and it carries a lot of interest from a betting perspective. Indeed, the playoffs are covered every year by the top sportsbooks. Bettors will be able to tap into plenty of outright markets, while many reputable operators, such as PlayUp will be stacked with in-play betting lines. Users can therefore place wagers as playoff games unfold, and the odds will change in time to reflect the action on the court.
While the 76ers may generally be a bit over-reliant on Embiid, he is the undeniable star in the starting roster, and he will be instrumental in terms of how deep they will go in the playoffs. Maybe the 76ers might end up proving Johnson wrong, but it will be fascinating to see how they get on.
