The Toronto Raptors went from finishing the season as hot as possible to staring an early playoff exit against the Philadelphia 76ers right in the face. Injuries to Scottie Barnes and Thad Young have made Toronto’s prospects of stopping Joel Embiid and James Harden even tougher.
Barnes’ injury is the most serious of the bunch given what he means to the team on both ends of the floor. Barnes was listed as doubtful for Game 2 due to a nasty ankle injury that came as the result of Embiid falling on top of him. This is just plain old bad luck.
The Raptors will need to prepare for Barnes to either be absent or less than fully healthy for the remainder of the series. An already tough path to the second round of the postseason is going to be even more arduous now that key names like Barnes and Young are out. However, playing hurt is nothing new to this team.
Toronto needs uniformity, calmness, and resolve if they want to pull off the impossible and somehow try to send Embiid home early. It’s incumbent upon these three players to answer the call and help replace Barnes’ presence over the next few games.
These 3 Toronto Raptors must play better without Scottie Barnes.
3. Chris Boucher
While the starting lineup is likely going to look much different with so many big names out, Boucher is likely going to stay on the bench to provide that burst of energy Nick Nurse needs from his reserves. After struggling in Game 1, it’s on Boucher to turn things around.
While Boucher averaged a double-double against the 76ers in the regular season, Embiid and Paul Reed were able to have some measure of success against him in this Game 1 win. Being a more physical defender and a willing shooter will be on Boucher’s plate for the next few games.
Toronto Raptors: Chris Boucher must bring energy.
While the Raptors are a very young team, Boucher is one of the few on this team who has been around the block in the postseason multiple times with Nick Nurse. Young’s veteran glue guy stuff is hard to replace, but Boucher needs to try his hardest here to help Toronto keep pace.
Winning the non-Embiid minutes by a convincing margin is going to be one of the best ways for Toronto to counteract the star power in Philly’s starting lineup. Barnes and Young are good for about 20 points and a handful of sharp defensive plays every night, and Boucher is a big piece of the puzzle with regards to replacing that production.
2. Precious Achiuwa
Achiuwa went from a developmental piece to Toronto’s Sixth Man in a matter of just a few weeks, as that combination of expert shooting and versatile defense in such an athletic package is very hard to come by. Those skills will be put to the test without Barnes in the lineup.
Achiuwa will likely slide into the starting lineup with Barnes and Gary Trent Jr. both listed as doubtful. Defending Embiid and making sure Tobias Harris doesn’t get hot early will be at the top of his priority sheet, but he’ll need to hit a couple of big 3-balls to keep pace.
Toronto Raptors: Precious Achiuwa must defend Joel Embiid well.
Achiuwa has already asked for tough defensive matchups, and he’s going to get that in this series. Given how James Harden and Tyrese Maxey were both so problematic for Toronto, Barnes’ absence might force Achiuwa into some 1-on-1 matchups with those two on the perimeter.
If Trent can’t go, Achiuwa might find himself as the fourth scoring option in this game. Putting up with growing pains in the regular season is all well and good, but the Raptors can’t afford too many of those patented Achiuwa turnovers or finishes at the rim if they are going to hang with Philly.
1. Pascal Siakam
Raptors fans know that Siakam is one of the best power forwards in the league, and his performance during Toronto’s championship season helped establish himself as a quality playoff performer. That being said, Siakam’s poor bubble against Boston looms large over the greater NBA media landscape.
This series could be the tiebreaker. If he can keep the Raptors in this series despite a multitude of injuries, Siakam’s status as an All-NBA fixture will be confirmed. It might sound ungrateful to ask for more than his 22/8/5 averages to win without Barnes, but it might be required to slow down Philadelphia.
Toronto Raptors: Pascal Siakam needs to take over and dominate.
While Siakam did put up 24 points and seven assists, he was not as effective as he usually is on the glass and he ended the night as a -19. Some of the best individual playoff games in Raptors history are a direct result of Siakam’s brilliance.
When the Raptors gave Siakam a max contract and gave him the keys to the car after the departures of Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry, they designated him as the primary offensive force that would be tasked with winning close playoff games. He’ll get a chance to flex his muscles with so many of his co-stars injured.