The Raptors have laughed in the face of elimination for two straight games, earning a shot to tie a series after trailing 3-0 for only the fourth time in NBA history. That hasn’t been done since the Portland Trail Blazers in 2003.
Game five’s preview successfully foreshadowed the chaos that would swirl around Philly following a loss. Wednesday was a hell of a day for media coverage, as Doc Rivers found himself predictably defending himself versus past demons.
Keep in mind that the 76ers still LEAD the series.
Doc Rivers got a little defensive when discussing his past teams' collapses 👀 pic.twitter.com/88PqjDDUZa
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) April 27, 2022
Things were much quieter on the Raptors side of things. It looks like Fred VanVleet will miss Game six, but Scottie Barnes Game one injury scare appears to be a thing of the past.
“I’m not really worried about it anymore.”
Scottie Barnes on ankle pic.twitter.com/HdGsSiIX5B— Amit Mann (@Amit_Mann) April 27, 2022
Three Keys
1. 6 Man
Game 6 tip is at 7:00 PM.
Not 7:09… 7:00 PM ET.
This is not a island time assignment.
— Kayla Grey (@Kayla_Grey) April 26, 2022
With mounting pressure on Philly to avoid a Game seven, Raptors fans could be a major factor to begin the game. Toronto is +12 in the first quarter over the last three games and have only trailed for 10:48 minutes since Game three. Another ideal start with the crowd going crazy could be damaging to what already seems like a rattled Sixers team. This is the type of game where players start bickering on the sidelines during a timeout if things aren’t going well.
2. Bench Advantage
The lack of bench scoring has been a season long issue for Toronto, discussed at nauseum. That hasn’t been the case in the playoffs, and the disparity is growing as this series progresses.
Game 5: 29-11 Raptors
Game 4: 36-27 Raptors
Game 3: 25-13 Raptors
Game 2: 24-14 Raptors
Game 1: 25-24 Raptors
Precious Achiuwa, Chris Boucher and Thaddeus Young have traded huge sparks off the bench. That is especially crucial in order to win the minutes that Joel Embiid rests. Even when Embiid was playing in Game five, Precious blew by him numerous times. Boucher has multiple blocks in three of the five games so far. Young has been a swiss army knife, with his passing from the post.
3. James Harden’s response
Harden’s play has returned to the spotlight. He’s averaging 18 points and nine assists in the series, but is shooting only 37 percent. The Raptors have stopped overhelping on Harden, cooling off Tyrese Maxey in the process (11.5 ppg, 9-26 FG in Games 4-5).
#Sixers center Joel Embiid on James Harden only taking 11 shots in Game 5: ‘I just want him to be aggressive. … I’m not the coach.’ pic.twitter.com/6fsd0kZFCk
— Tom Moore (@TomMoorePhilly) April 26, 2022
Embiid wants to see something closer to the Harden that put up 26.8 ppg and 12.0 apg in his first four games as a Sixer. Harden had 59/50/90 shooting splits during that honeymoon phase, but saw a steep decline in the remaining 17 games of the regular season (36/29/89).
Philly media is now openly wondering if that Harden will ever return.
You keep searching for that guy. You keep waiting for that guy. You keep hoping for that guy.
It just isn’t there.
There’s nothing special about James Harden right now, writes @RoobNBCS: https://t.co/8ztQHMwfgv
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) April 27, 2022
Embiid will need to lean on Harden more than usual because of his thumb injury. Will the former MVP come through on the road? Or will I be posting Zaza Pachulia’s famous video on Saturday?
Game Info
Tip-Off: 7pm EDT | TV: TSN 1/4, NBA TV | Radio: Sportsnet 590
Philadelphia 76ers Results, Lineups & Injuries
Previous Results
Probable Lineup
Toronto Raptors Results, Lineups & Injuries
Previous Results
Probable Lineup
Injuries
Betting Lines
| phi | tor | |
|---|---|---|
| -1.5 | Spread | +1.5 |
| -125 | Money Line | +105 |
Over/Under 210.5 | ||
