#4 Milwaukee Bucks vs. #5 Philadelphia 76ers

[The Athletic]

vs. 
#4 Milwaukee Bucks            #5 Philadelphia 76ers 

This is probably the best first round match-up in the league this year.  Both teams have had amazing years and come in at 12-2 and 11-3 respectively.  The Bucks have done it with star power at the top, Giannis and Kristaps have been great all year, and will need to continue to be against a very good 76ers squad.  The Sixers are led by two all stars of their own in Karl Anthony Towns and Demar Derozan, but teams have a decent amount of depth as well and i really think this game is going to come down to the wire.  Let's take a look at the two teams.

We talked earlier about how this team is led by a two headed monster in Zinger and Giannis, but Gary Harris has just been fantastic this year, he really has taken the leap and was been one of the better shooting guards in the league this year, if the Bucks want to win this one they'll more than likely need a solid week from Gary.  The Bucks honestly aren't the deepest team, and the last mnute acquiring of Trevor Ariza was really big for this team.  Tyler Johnson has also been very solid of late, and if he's healthy he will be a big boost for the Bucks this week.  Boogie getting hurt should help E'twaun Moore who has had a really solid season this year, expect his usage to go up and as a result production.  Tyson Chandler has been solid when he's got minutes, and Plumlee has produced as well.  Overall really it's going to come down to Giannis and Porzingis and in my eyes more Porzingis.  You know what you're going to get with Giannis, but Zinger can be pretty volatile.  If the Bucks can get a big two week from Zinger they have a shot. 

The Sixers have had a really good season, and while i think a lot of people liked this team coming in, i'm not sure people saw the 11-3 coming.  Let's take a look at what makes them go. Towns and Derozan have been the heart and soul of the team, each of them are among the best at their respective positions and have been able to stay healthy all year.  When this team is fully healthy it may honestly be the deepest team in the league.  Taj has been great, Melo is aging but he still a contributor, Shabazz has had his moments this year, Hood has been good when healthy, and Korver and Green have played good ball this year as well.  The big thing for this team has been the emergence of Tyreke Evans.  Evans has been just a stud this year, and with Conley being out the rest of the year, he should be the rest of the way barring a trade. The Sixers really need him healthy to make a run at the Bucks.  Overall this is just such a deep team, Russell is just returning as well and while he probably doesn't get back to himself for a couple weeks, just having him back will do wonders for this team. 

This is a really tough, honestly both teams deserve to go further than the first round, but unfortunately only one team will.  My gut says the Sixers pull it off, but it comes down to the health of Reke.  This one should go down to the wire, and Giannis will be doing everything he can to get his squad the one, but i think the 6ers are just too deep.