Series Thread: 4) Philadelphia 76ers vs. 5) Toronto Raptors

[fightinfunbags]

I hope dude is ok. If he doesn’t get hurt he probably gets a triple double. Showed a lot of poise and energy today. His block on Harris was impressive.

 

[raptorlife4]

Smart. Work the refs early

No question the calls went the sixers way tonight. That happens sometimes

 

[fightinfunbags]

Smart. Work the refs early

If they start calling that on Embiid then the officials will have to start blowing the whistle on the first foul on his touches instead of the 2nd and 3rd foul. I can’t believe Toronto reaches as much as they do.

 

[raptorlife4]

76ers came out with the right energy and did what they had to do. Full credit

Some of our guys had the nerves through the first half.

This will be a series.

 

[fightinfunbags]

No question the calls went the sixers way tonight. That happens sometimes

Man, I don’t know. Gary Trent got a few softies throwing his ass into a trail defender. Early in the 3Q there were back to back plays, one was a reach on DG that I don’t even think makes contact and it was a whistle. And Embiid gets the business on every touch.

 

[fightinfunbags]

76ers came out with the right energy and did what they had to do. Full credit

Some of our guys had the nerves through the first half.

This will be a series.

It’s all about the adjustments from here. Raptors have to generate turnovers. I don’t think they can play better in the half court than they did today. They shot 50% and still lost by a number.

 

[bksballer89]

It’s all about the adjustments from here. Raptors have to generate turnovers. I don’t think they can play better in the half court than they did today. They shot 50% and still lost by a number.

They're also not going to allow 130+ in every game as they did tonight.

This wasn't an offense issue. Was a defense thing. When you allow 130+, there's plenty of improvement

 

[Sparhawk]

Yep i always said if there is a game with absolutely no pressure game in a playoffs series, it is game 1 for the road team

Road teams were 2-0 before this game.....

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

If Barnes is out I have no hope for the Raptors. That’s such a big blow.

 

[fightinfunbags]

They're also not going to allow 130+ in every game as they did tonight.

This wasn't an offense issue. Was a defense thing. When you allow 130+, there's plenty of improvement

They’re gonna have to make a decision to lean on Embiid and be determined to let the other guys beat them or lock down on the other pieces and let Embiid get his.

 

[flyerhawk]

They're also not going to allow 130+ in every game as they did tonight.

This wasn't an offense issue. Was a defense thing. When you allow 130+, there's plenty of improvement

If Maxey plays anywhere like that, the Sixers are gong to be tough to beat no matter what. He's obviously not going to be 5-8 but he was 3rd in the league in 3P% so if he hits a couple, that really puts the defense in a tough spot.

I honestly thought that Embiid was on cruise control for a lot of the game. He was committed defensively but he seemed comfortable letting the offense move around tonight.

 

[flyerhawk]

And I don't know whether Doc was playing a little rope a dope or what but the fact that Jordan saw no minutes and B-Ball Paul was the one who spelled Embiid was a shock to the system.

 

[fightinfunbags]

I knew it was good. I didn’t know it was this good.

 

[Stakesarehigh]

I knew it was good. I didn’t know it was this good.

You all had 0 turnovers in the first half lol

 

[fightinfunbags]

You all had 0 turnovers in the first half lol

Some of that is “scoring decision”. There were a couple lost balls from Harden that were deemed shots and blocks that I would have deemed a turnover but that’s nit picking. Yesterday was the blue print. Raptors live to create offense off the turnover. They can’t play better in the half court than they did yesterday. If the Sixers take care of the ball and get busy on the defensive glass they can win this series.

 

[trojanfan12]

This wasn't an offense issue. Was a defense thing. When you allow 130+, there's plenty of improvement

Yep, it means that adjustments will have to be made. I hear Nick Nurse is decent with those.

 

[fightinfunbags]

Yep, it means that adjustments will have to be made. I hear Nick Nurse is decent with those.

He doesn’t have Gasol or Ibaka though.

 

[trojanfan12]

He doesn’t have Gasol or Ibaka though.

There are a lot of ways to make adjustments. You just haven't seen them because your team is coached by Doc.

 

[fightinfunbags]

There are a lot of ways to make adjustments. You just haven't seen them because your team is coached by Doc.

In order to keep Embiid from going Ham he needs to throw the kitchen sink at him. And when he does that, the Sixers have enough to have the other guys beat them as long as the ball moves. Harden is Harden any more but he gives them a flag court presence they’ve never had to exploit this stuff.

 

[Stakesarehigh]

Some of that is “scoring decision”. There were a couple lost balls from Harden that were deemed shots and blocks that I would have deemed a turnover but that’s nit picking. Yesterday was the blue print. Raptors live to create offense off the turnover. They can’t play better in the half court than they did yesterday. If the Sixers take care of the ball and get busy on the defensive glass they can win this series.

If Harden focuses more on creating for others like he did last night the Sixers are gonna be tough. Still a depth issue though. And that backup C spot is a real issue.