Game 1 Film Breakdown | Philadelphia 76ers vs. Toronto Raptors

Game 1 Film Breakdown | Philadelphia 76ers vs. Toronto Raptors 

Kawhi Leonard: Hunting the Mismatch

• To avoid having J.J. Redick defend Kawhi Leonard, the 76ers decided to “Hedge & Recover” in any ball-screen involving the two players.

• On the 8 possessions used (not including the 2 non-shooting fouls drawn) in which the 76ers hedged a ball screen with a guard, the Raptors scored 15 points (1.88 points per possession).
• Whether it be Kawhi turning the corner as his defender recovered back to him, gaining enough space to pull up for a jumper, or picking apart the defense with “short roll” playmaking, the Raptors produced against this defensive coverage.

Defending the Simmons/Redick Ball Screen – 2:16

• The 76ers run a ball screen in which Redick sets a ball screen in the middle of the floor for Simmons. Often times, both defenders jump to Simmons to stop his drive and it leaves Redick alone along the perimeter for a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer.
• The Raptors were prepared for this action and decided to “switch” the Simmons/Redick ball screen and stalled out the 76ers offense on two occasions.
• It should be noted that on the 2 other possessions not featured in the video in which the 76ers ran the same play, the 76ers scored both times.

Defending Embiid’s Post Ups – 3:27

• On the 12 possessions featuring a Joel Embiid post up, the 76ers scored just 4 points (0.33 points per possession).
• By forcing Embiid to make a catch outside the paint and closer to the 3-point line, as well as disciplined and sturdy defense, Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, and Pascal Siakam kept Embiid in check when in the post.
• Additionally, the Raptors only fouled Embiid twice on his 12 post ups.

Countering the Deep Drop – 6:12

• The 76ers are notorious for their conservative defensive scheme in which their Bigs drop deep into the paint.
• To counter that, Marc Gasol upped his aggressiveness to shoot the ball when he popped to the 3-point line.
• Additionally, this forced the 76ers to stick more closely to Gasol along the perimeter – even when he was facilitating the offense. As a result, the lane was wide open for layups once a perimeter defender allows a blow-by without any rim protector.

Kyle Lowry Post Defense – 7:18

• The 76ers (somewhat foolishly) attempted to post up Kyle Lowry with their large wing players. Due to poor spacing as a result of personnel, as well as Lowry’s proficiency to defend on the block, the 76ers unsurprisingly did not have success.