The Toronto Raptors are preparing for a playoff showdown with a familiar foe in the Philadelphia 76ers, a team whom they beat three out of four times in 2021/22. Nevertheless, Fred VanVleet isn't taking Joel Embiid and Co. for granted.

Via Josh Lewenberg of TSN:

Fred VanVleet on the Sixers: “A couple weeks ago they were title favourites, I haven't forgotten that, and I know how dangerous they can be. I'm looking forward to this series.”

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The Raptors know it will be a tall task going up against the possible MVP in Embiid and James Harden, never mind the other pieces on the Philly roster. Stopping Embiid will be difficult considering his brilliance this season, but Toronto has the frontcourt figures who can make life tougher on the big man.

One huge advantage the Raptors will have in Games 3 and 4 is the absence of defensive standout Matisse Thybulle, who can't play in Canada because he isn't fully vaccinated. That's a massive blow to the Sixers' perimeter defense against the likes of VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr, who finished the year on a high note.

Despite Harden's struggles as of late, we saw the early brilliance of the Embiid and The Beard. This Sixers group was deemed a title contender after the blockbuster trade and VanVleet is very aware of just that.

Game 1 is scheduled for Saturday in Philadelphia. Let's hope the Raptors' playoff experience can prove to be a deciding factor in the first round.