PLAYER GRADES: Philadelphia 76ers 116, Toronto Raptors 95
The betting line in Las Vegas said the Philadelphia 76ers were going to lose at home to the Toronto Raptors. That was not the case as the Sixers blew them out.
Philadelphia sports teams have recently done rather well when the professional gamblers say they are going to lose at home in the playoffs (see Eagles-Super Bowl).
The Philadelphia 76ers were 1.5 point underdogs for Game 3 against the Toronto Raptors even though they were playing at home, where they are much better, and just having won in Toronto.
Apparently, those who make a living at betting thought Game 2 was a fluke and that Kawhi Leonard, Pascal Siakim & Company would go back to tearing the Sixers to shreds like in the series opener.
Apparently, they were really, REALLY wrong.
The 76ers rolled to a 116-95 victory over the Raptors as both teams cleared their benches with about four minutes to go. The Sixers now hold a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal.
A Joel Embiid who did not have to spend the day running to the bathroom and needing an IV (like in Game 2) is a player the Raptors had no answer for. Embiid scored 33 points in 28 minutes as he torched designated Embiid-stopper Marc Gasol and was a monster on defense.
The big difference in the game was that the Sixers finally got their usually lethal offense firing on all cylinders on Thursday night. After scoring 94 and 95 points in the first two games, the Sixers exploded for 20 more points than their previous high.
The key point in the game came early in the fourth quarter.
The Sixers held as much as an 18-point lead in the third quarter but the Raptors had cut the margin to eight by the end of the period. Having regained the momentum, Toronto coach Nick Nurse tried to steal a few minutes of rest for Leonard.
Big mistake! The Sixers began the fourth quarter on an 8-0 run and held a 16-point lead by the time Nurse could get Leonard back in but, by then, the contest was basically over as the Sixers went on to hold as much as a 26-point lead in the fourth quarter.
JOEL EMBIID. A+. <strong>28 mins | 33 pts | 10 reb | 3 ast | 0 stl | 5 blk | 3 TO | 9-18 FG | 3-4 3PT| 12-13 FT | 3 PF | +31 |</strong><p>With scoring from inside and out (three 3-pointers!) Toronto had no answers to halt ‘The Process’ . Embiid has figured out how to out-quick the smart but still 34-year old Marc Gasol to score. Was also a terror on defense, blocking five shots and would have been credited with a few more if the referees had not felt sorry for the Raptors getting their shots swatted away all the time. He was so good, ESPN commentator Jeff Van Gundy <a href=. C. Philadelphia 76ers
<strong>36 mins | 22 pts | 9 reb | 9 ast | 3 stl | 1 blk | 2 TO | 9-15 FG | 1-5 3PT| 3-3 FT | 1 PF | +28 |</strong><p>Unlike Game 2, Butler did not have to play the role of ‘Closer’ because the game was pretty much over a few minutes into the fourth quarter. However, Jimmy ‘Don’t call me James” was a factor from the start. His defense was stellar and on offense he found the perfect balance of looking for his shot but still passing to the open player. Oh, and he had the <a href=. F-G. Philadelphia 76ers. JIMMY BUTLER. A
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Philadelphia 76ers. JAMES ENNIS III. A-. <strong>24 mins | 10 pts | 5 reb | 1 ast | 0 stl | 0 blk | 0 TO | 4-6 FG | 0-2 3PT| 2-2 FT | 4 PF | +20 | </strong><p>The one thing that every expert was 100% positive about was that Toronto would have a far superior bench over the Sixers. There has been one sub who has scored in double digits in every game – and he does not wear a ‘We the North’ t-shirt. Ennis once again had an impact on the offensive and defensive end. He was aggressive with the ball and Toronto had to guard him, and he contributed to the intensity the Sixers showed on defense for the second game in a row. For a much-maligned Sixers bench, Ennis has been a revelation.</p>. G-F
A. <strong>37 mins | 13 pts | 8 reb | 5 ast | 0 stl | 2 blk | 2 TO | 5-11 FG | 2-5 3PT| 1-2 FT | 3 PF | +28 |</strong><p>After a poor performance offensively in Game 2, Harris came out firing and his early scoring helped open things up for others. He also had five assists, as when the Raptors began paying him more attention he was able to find the open man. Harris is not known for his defense but he was outstanding on that end, as he held Marc Gasol to just seven points despite giving up five inches and about 35 pounds.</p>. F. Philadelphia 76ers. TOBIAS HARRIS
MIKE SCOTT. B. <strong>14 mins | 5 pts | 0 reb | 0 ast | 0 stl | 0 blk | 2 TO | 2-3 FG | 1-1 3PT| 0-0 FT | 2 PF | -5 |</strong><p>Although his stats were not gaudy, the fact that Scott even played was an accomplishment. Having sat out the last two games with a heel injury, Scott was listed as questionable for Game 3. The ‘Three-gional manager’ knocked down his only shot from beyond the arc. His presence allowed coach Brett Brown to really solidify his rotation, as for the first time in a while Brown had his entire roster able to play. Scott played a key role at the end of the first half when he helped hold the Sixers lead after Tobias Harris had to go to the bench with three fouls.</p><p> </p>. F. Philadelphia 76ers
The Raptors depth, supposedly one of their strengths, was once again lacking. No one scored more than 10 points except Leonard and Siakam.
The Sixers superior ball movement was on display as they notched 29 assists on 43 baskets.
As dominant as the 76ers looked on Thursday, the Raptors can regain home-court advantage with a win Sunday in Game 4.
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What will be the point spread for that game?