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

What to watch in Sixers-Raptors Game 2: Maxey’s follow-up

Tyrese Maxey probably won’t score 38 in consecutive games. You can never count the youngster out, but expect Toronto to re-engineer its defense to pay more mind to the 21-year-old lightning bolt. Maxey will probably see more bodies on the catch and the Raptors will be less inclined to help off him. The only problem with emerging as a star is that defenses start treating you like a star.

Maxey has the speed, handles, and shooting touch to beat any coverage. He’s dynamic at three levels now, from long pull-up 3s to acrobatic finishes at the lane. He can compensate for rim protection with his floater, he can shake even the staunchest defenders with his first step, and he’s generally unselfish, so he won’t force offense if it’s not available to him. That said, the Raptors will try a great deal harder to slow Maxey down moving orward.

Of course, the brilliance of Philadelphia’s starting five is that it’s hard to pay Maxey the attention he deserves, lest you free up more space for Joel Embiid, James Harden, and Tobias Harris to attack weaker coverage. With Danny Green in the starting five instead of Matisse Thybulle, there’s not a non-shooter Toronto can ignore. Guarding Maxey while guarding everyone else is a tall task.

This series has the distinct flavor of Maxey’s breakout. The Raptors will try to prevent it, and Joel Embiid won’t have any more 19-point games if I had to guess, but this is as good a time as any for Maxey to announce his stardom on the national stage.