The Sixer Sense
Fansided

RECAP: Toronto Raptors 114, Philadelphia 76ers 109

By Anthony DePaul

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 21: Robert Covington #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts in front of DeMar DeRozan #10 and Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors in the fourth quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on December 21, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Raptors defeated the 76ers 114-109. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 21: Robert Covington #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts in front of DeMar DeRozan #10 and Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors in the fourth quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on December 21, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Raptors defeated the 76ers 114-109. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Despite a tremendous effort by a short-handed Philadelphia 76ers team, the Toronto Raptors, behind a superstar performance by DeMar DeRozan, defeated the 76ers in a close contest.

The last game the Philadelphia 76ers played without Joel Embiid against Toronto, it did not go well to say the least. Philly was blown off the floor on the back-end of a back-to-back. This time the northern invaders played the night before and it showed. Dwayne Casey had the bench open early, and the Sixers were able to stay very competitive despite over 20 turnovers and DeMar DeRozan being uncharacteristically accurate from three-point range. He turned the game in Toronto’s favor single-handedly. 

Dario looked comfortable on offense. The Homie was aggressive going to the rim and came through with his signature old man moves. He even two long-range shots and flirted with a triple double. Dario also utilized his underrated vision. He made several inside passes to Vincent Adultman of Amir Johnson and Richaun Holmes at center. They were able to finish Dario’s feeds and play respectable defense. Richaun Holmes did his business especially well down low. 

Ben Simmons looked comfortable and aggressive all night. He even drained a mid range jumper and switched to his right hand once at the rim. He was efficient starting 5-7 and kept it going throughout the game. Ben and Dario really set a tone for the offense that promoted smart ball movement. At the half, the Sixers had 17 assists on 27 made baskets

The stellar Sixers ball movement continued into the 3rd quarter. The Sixers were able to open up a twenty-two point lead. The story of the game looked like it would be a gutsy victory for a very short-handed Sixers team. But the Sixers offense stalled in the third quarter and allowed the Raptors to eliminate the deficit. The Sixers really could have used a young ball-handler who could make his own hesi-pull-up jimbo. Unfortunately, Jerryd Bayless was shooting and missed three make-able threes during the guts of the game. 

It was a nip and tuck game going into the second half of the fourth quarte,r but it never felt like a game the 76ers would win. A couple of foul calls went away from the home squad and clutch three-point and free throw shooting from the Toronto star back-court sealed the Sixer’s fate. 

B+. <span style=. G. Philadelphia 76ers. BEN SIMMONS

A-. <span style=. F. Philadelphia 76ers. ROBERT COVINGTON

C+. 33 mins | 11 pts | 1 reb | 1 ast | 4 stl | 0 blk | 2 TO | 5-13 FG | 1-7 3PT| 0-0 FT | 4 PF | -7 +/-| <b>Summary</b>: Jerryd Bayless stepped into <a href=. G. Philadelphia 76ers. JERRYD BAYLESS

A. 36 mins | 18 pts | 10 reb | 9 ast | 2 stl | 2 blk | 3 TO | 7-10 FG | 1-3 3PT| 3-3 FT | 2 PF | 1 +/-| <strong>Summary: </strong>Dario was for my money the best Sixer on the floor tonight for Philadelphia. Just one assist shy of a triple double, Dario is enjoying one of his best stretches as an NBA Player. Its is a shame that it is not translating to winning efforts.. F. Philadelphia 76ers. DARIO SARIC

<span style=. PG. Philadelphia 76ers. TJ MCCONNELL. B

Almost “The Poop Game”

It is no secret that Robert Covington has struggled since signing his new contract, but the regression to the mean for RoCo has been even harder since he took that big fall against Cleveland. Against the Raptors, however, the Sixers forward started out hot, shooting 4-6 from three-point range. The offense looks completely different when Robert is hitting his shots. It takes pressure off of the rest of the team. Have to hope this is a sign for a turnaround for him.

Quick Notes:

  • Free throw disparity was staggering. The Raptors were 32-35 from the charity stripe while the Sixers attempted 14 free throws and made 10 of them. Make of that what you will.
  • Trevor Booker has been a decent contributor since coming from the Brooklyn Nets, but his lack of shooting really helped ground the Sixers offense to a halt when the Sixers went to their bench in the third quarter.
  • The slide for the Sixers is not going to end anytime soon. The Sixers are going to Toronto on Saturday to begin a six game road trip facing four playoff caliber teams on that stretch of games (TOR, DEN, POR and SAS).

Next: Sixers Mock Draft Projections Rundown

Previous Game Recaps:

L, New Orleans 131– Philadelphia 124

W, Philadelphia 118– Minnesota 112

L, Oklahoma City 119 — Philadelphia 117

L, Chicago 117 — Philadelphia 115

L, Sacramento 101 — Philadelphia 95