The Toronto Raptors are the best team in the NBA. The Philadelphia 76ers have been the best team in the NBA since acquiring Jimmy Butler. What does Toronto need to accomplish to pick up a win?
Last time the Toronto Raptors played the Philadelphia 76ers, it was an outright whooping. Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points and put the clamps down on Ben Simmons as the Raptors led all game, eventually winning 129-112. The margin of victory was 17, but even that felt too close.
This isn’t the same 76ers team. Since that October 30th showdown, Philadelphia has added All-NBA forward, Jimmy Butler. Since the acquisition of Butler, the Philadelphia 76ers have been the best team in the NBA (Record wise at least).
The addition of Butler improved the 76ers from a plucky group of young talent one-year away to legitimate Eastern Conference contenders.
So what does Toronto need to accomplish to beat one of their Eastern Conference rivals? Here are our three keys.
Avoid foul trouble
Since the Jimmy Butler trade, the 76ers lead the league in free-throw attempt rate. I.e. they force you to foul a lot. With Butler, Ben Simmons, and mostly Joel Embiid attacking the hoop, it can be overwhelming. Big-men get caught out of position and respond by hacking the opponent.
The Raptors need to be conscious of their foul-rate at all times. Particularly in the interior, Jonas Valanciunas, Serge Ibaka, and Pascal Siakam all need to avoid picking up ticky-tack fouls. If you pick up a foul playing helpside defense, it happens. A dumb reach on a post-up, can’t.
Joel Embiid is too much for elite defensive centers. Can you imagine what he’ll do to poor Greg Monroe? Every foul tonight needs to be a result of 76ers aggression, no cheap ones.
Apply pressure/force turnovers
Playing against a team with questionable perimeter shooting, it’s easy to think that the best defensive approach is to sag-off. However, a lack of defensive pressure can open up passing lanes, allowing a talented passing team to dissect you piece-by-piece.
Before the Butler trade, the 76ers had a turnover rate of 15.7-percent, 25th in the NBA. Since the deal, it’s improved slightly to 14.4, 17th in the NBA. Jimmy Butler isn’t a low-turnover player, but his presence has changed team’s defensive focus. Teams are sagging off and now giving the 76ers room to work.
Since the trade, the 76ers have the fourth best EFG-percentage in the NBA. Clearly, forcing them into jumpers is not working.
Toronto should attempt to pressure the 76ers and force turnovers, rather than sagging off.
Win bench minutes
We all know by now that the Toronto Raptors bench has been bad. Luckily, the Philadelphia 76ers bench hasn’t been much better. The difference is the Raptors bench has more talent waiting to be unlocked.
The 76ers top reserves are Mike Muscala, Landry Shamet, and T.J. McConnell. It’s hard to imagine any of the three receiving consistent minutes for Toronto. The Raptors bench isn’t performing the way it should, but it has the talent to destroy this Philadelphia group.
Make sure to check out our three keys before every game at RaptorsRapture.com.