Sixers: What to watch for vs. Raptors in Game 2

The Sixers will host the Raptors for Game 2 of the first round Monday night. The first game went just about perfectly for the Sixers, who won 131-111 behind Tyrese Maxey‘s 38-point masterclass and a supremely balanced attack. The Raptors looked lost from the opening tip, but one has to expect Nick Nurse’s team to be more locked in for the rematch in South Philly.

For Philadelphia, it would benefit them greatly to maintain home-court advantage ahead of two road games in Toronto, where they will be short-handed from the jump due to Matisse Thybulle’s refusal to get his second dose of the COVID vaccine. For the Raptors, this is a chance to respond to Game 1’s embarrassment — and to remind folks why they were a popular upset pick in this series.

Unfortunately, Scottie Barnes will miss the second game of the series with a severe-looking ankle sprain. His future beyond that is uncertain, but hopefully he can get back on the court sooner than later. In his absence, however, the Raptors will have to get creative in order to even up the series.

Here’s what fans should look out for Monday evening.

What to watch in Sixers-Raptors Game 2: Raptors’ defensive coverage

The Raptors attempted to dictate the pace with their defensive aggression in Game 1. It did not work. The Sixers were prepared to match physicality, and Joel Embiid‘s quick decision-making — combined with James Harden’s generational passing acumen — helped Philly pick apart a defense that was constantly scrambling to recover.

Toronto will still send copious bodies at Joel Embiid and James Harden, there’s no other way to defend the Sixers. That said, they will probably be smarter with their help. They will give Joel Embiid different looks in the post, and probably double on the dribble, rather than on the catch. Toronto will try to keep Embiid’s vision clogged and his easy passes to a minimum.

As for Harden, the Raptors cannot ignore him entirely. That said, they should be more willing to let Harden try to beat his man one-on-one. Harden hasn’t been able to finish at the rim since he arrived in Philly, and the Raptors still have length aplenty to throw in his direction. Keeping the Harden doubles to a minimum, and subsequently affording more attention to Maxey and Harris in the corners, might help the Raptors avoid another Game 1-style blowout.