The fact that the Philadelphia 76ers were able to steal a win in Toronto against the Raptors was huge for this series. The Sixers starting five really weren't blowing the Raptors starting five out of the water, but the bench did show up big time for the Sixers in game two. In fact, I would say that was the reason they got off to such a hot start in the opening half. James Ennis III seemed to be hyper-focused with the way he was shooting the ball, producing a good showing of points.
As I looked at previously, it would have seemed that the Raptors would have the undisputed advantage coming off the bench, but that particularly wasn't so in game two. Combining that with the steady performance that Jimmy Butler provided, it was just enough for the Sixers to escape and tie the series at one. Headed back to Philadelphia, the Sixers have every chance in the world to take the series in games three and four to put Toronto's backs against the ropes. Here's what they'll need to do if they are to ensure that happens.
Rebounds
In game two, Jimmy Butler performed well. He recorded a double-double (30pts and 11rebs) while complimenting the rest of the Philadelphia 76ers in a game where one stat jumped out in particular, separating them from the Toronto Raptors in a positive effort. While turnovers were still in favor of the Raptors, the number of rebounds wasn't even close, favoring the Sixers.
Butler had eleven of his own, which created opportunities to put points up on the same possession, or shut down a team with lethal shooters for a change of possession. This defensive stat was exactly what the Sixers needed to ensure a win against a team like the Raptors. If you are out-rebounding the other team, in this instance, Kawhi Leonard isn't having as many opportunities to hit his three-point shots to cut into the lead or gain a lead.
Speaking of players who did help win the rebounding for the Sixers, Tobias Harris also had eleven of his own. This was a big help for the Sixers in securing the win against the Raptors in game two. Winning the game in the paint is what the Sixers must continue to do because that is a strength that they do have against the Raptors.
Continued on the next page.
Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Limiting Turnovers
This was the highlight of my original article about the Philadelphia 76ers series against the Toronto Raptors. All season long, the Raptors continuously won this battle. In fact, the one game where the Sixers won against the Raptors all season, they were able to win the turnover battle. In game two, the Sixers actually lost big time in the turnover statistic. Joel Embiid was the main culprit. He had six turnovers of his own while the entire Raptors starting five only committed seven.
The more that you look at the stats on paper, you really start to realize that the Sixers just made it out of Toronto with a win in the slimmest of margins. Sure, the final score says that too, but look that the numbers. In total, the Sixers gave the Raptors ten extra possessions off of turnovers. That cannot happen, especially when Kyle Lowry, Kawhi Leonard, and Pascal Siakam are scoring twenty plus points a game.
Playing Tough Defense
The saying is that "defense wins championships," and it is absolutely correct. If you need any convincing, look at the battle in the first half of game two between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Toronto Raptors. In the first quarter, the Sixers scored twenty-six and the Raptors scored seventeen. In the second quarter, the Sixers scored twenty-five and the Raptors scored twenty-one. Already, the Raptors were starting to limit the production and lead of the Sixers and claw their way back in.
In game two, the Sixers only won one half of basketball. The second half actually favored the Raptors, to which I thank Joel Embiid for his clutch drive to secure the win, because if there was a minute more to play, the momentum shows in favor of Toronto. In the third quarter, the Raptors scored twenty-five and the Sixers scored eighteen. The final quarter was tighter with the Raptors scoring twenty-six and the Sixers scoring twenty-five.
One very big step in the right direction for the Sixers was disrupting the flow of three-pointers from the Raptors shooters. They shot twenty-seven percent while the Sixers only shot twenty-nine percent. Side note: just because you are open for a three-pointer, doesn't mean you take it if you're Embiid. He converted nothing from behind the arc and effectively worked more effectively as a turnover in the Raptors favor.
Bench Effort
Aside from the play of Jimmy Butler, and the rebounding effort from the Philadelphia 76ers, this is the key component for the reason the Sixers walked out with a win in Toronto, tying the series with the Raptors at one game a piece. Jonah Bolden, Greg Monroe, and James Ennis III all finished in the plus margin. Ennis and Monroe had decent performances, but it was ugly for Toronto's bench. Everyone was in the negative margin when you look at the plus-minus statistic. The closest to positive was Jodie Meeks at -4.
The rest of the bench: Fred VanFleet, Serge Ibaka, and Norman Powell were all in the double-digit negatives. Capitalizing on rebounding, making free throws, and capitalizing on technical fouls were big-time opportunities that the Sixers made sure to improve on. Another comparison to point to is that Joel Embiid takes full advantage of his time on the court when Marc Gasol is on the bench. Embiid was -11 with Gasol on the court and +14 with him on the bench. Poor diet or not, this simply is something that has been a trend before against Embiid and cannot continue if he really is as "unstoppable" on the court as he said he was in a post-game interview earlier this same year.
Prediction
I said in my first article that I was taking the Toronto Raptors to win the series in six games. I'm not sold enough to change my mind yet, sorry to my Philadelphia 76ers fans. I am one, but I refuse to be biased. However, this game is going to be huge! If the Sixers take game three in Philadelphia, they will have momentum on their side into game four in Philadelphia. The bench has to come in just as hot as they were before and word is that Mike Scott will be back for game three to come off the bench, replacing James Ennis III. Limit the turnovers, grab the rebounds, and grab the win. With the road win in Toronto, I think the underdog Sixers have the favorite Raptors off-balanced. In game three, I'm taking the Sixers to win. If the Sixers do win game three, I may be reconsidering my series prediction.
