Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers: Matchup Breakdown

Kawhi Leonard vs. Jimmy Butler

This might be the most interesting matchup in the entire series. Leonard and Butler play a similar style, though Leonard bests Butler at nearly everything.

When it comes to scoring, shooting efficiency, rebounding, and defense, Leonard is a tier above Butler in all categories. However, that doesn’t mean Butler isn’t capable of getting the best of Leonard in one or a few games in this series.

Butler’s play will be somewhat of an X-factor for the 76ers, as he will need him to either contain Leonard on defense or try to match him on offense.

It’s a tall order either way, but Butler isn’t one to shy away from a challenge.

Defensively, Butler will need to be as physical as possible with Leonard and hope he doesn’t get into foul trouble. If he can make Leonard work on the defensive end while hitting a high percentage of his shots, the 76ers will be happy.  On offense, the key for Butler is efficiency, rather than volume.

Leonard already showed in the Raptors’ first-round series that he can dominate against tough, athletic and physical defenders. In every game except for Game 3 in Orlando (when Leonard suffered through flu-like symptoms prior to the game), he utterly dominated the Magic.

Butler has proven himself as one of the better two-way wings in the league, but he’s not a significant step up from the Magic’s athletic combination of Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon.

If he’s at the top of his game, Leonard shouldn’t have a problem scoring against the 76ers.

If they decide to blitz or double-team Leonard in the half court, he will have to resist the urge to take tough shots and try to facilitate for others. Leonard did a great job of doing just that — as well as nearly everything else — in the Orlando series. Now, he’ll look to build off his round one success.