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Raptors: Toronto taken down by 76ers as smaller lineup gets beat up

By Nickeem Khan

TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 23: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots against OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half at Amalie Arena on February 23, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 23: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots against OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half at Amalie Arena on February 23, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Raptors were unable to come away victorious against the Philadelphia 76ers at a score of 109-102. The Raptors played with great determination and grit, and gave a performance that every Raptors fan can be proud of despite the result.

Toronto played catchup from the very beginning of the game, and it was clear that the Sixers made the necessary adjustments needed to defeat this team. It was the Furkan Korkmaz show throughout all of the first quarter.

Toronto just were unable to keep close-out on shooters. Korkmaz and Danny Green were connecting on three after three in the first quarter. Add that with the Raptors lackluster offense, and you get an early deficit in favor for Philadelphia, as the Sixers were up 37-18 after the first quarter.

The struggles continued in the second quarter as the Sixers would go up as much as 21 points. Norman Powell was the only Raptor to provide an offensive spark in the first half. Fred VanVleet had a rough night on offense as he shot 23 percent from the field.

93. 102. 81. Final. 109

The Raptors struggled against the 76ers’ defense

The combination of VanVleet and OG Anunoby’s struggles on offense, really put Toronto in a tough position when it came to productivity on offense. Despite the major lead, the Raptors were able to make a run to end the first half, which gave a bundle of life within the Toronto roster, bringing the deficit to 13 points.

Momentum was all on Nick Nurse’s side to start the second half, but the Sixers would quickly respond. After cutting the lead to six points, after a quick Doc Rivers timeout, the Sixers went on a quick 7-0 run to extend the lead back to 13 points. It felt like every time Toronto made a run, Philadelphia responded with a gut punch.

A big contributor towards Philadelphia’s success was Tobias Harris with 21 points, bouncing back from a poor performance in the last matchup between these two teams.

Defense by the Raptors was amazing from the second quarter onwards, but it was the offense that really derailed their comeback efforts. There were stretches where Toronto would get stop after stop, but there was no flow and rhythm on offense.

Not having Kyle Lowry was really apparent as the Raptors didn’t have someone to will them on the offensive side of the floor. Although the Sixers continued to apply the pressure, Toronto never gave up.

While Philadelphia was planning to get out of Toronto, the Raptors showed just how much heart they have. The last minute of official game time was extended to 10 plus minutes, due to the squad playing amazing defense and admirable offense in an attempt to win the game.

It wasn’t an effort by a single individual, but it was a team effort that put the basketball world on notice that the Raptors are the same great team they were in years prior.

The late-game success Toronto had on Tuesday night will be what the Raptors look to replicate against the Miami Heat on the second night of a back-to-back.

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