3 Raptors roster flaws 76ers are exposing in playoff series
By Mike Luciano
1. Lack of shooting
Toronto has been able to win some shootouts this year thanks to the individual moments of brilliance from players like VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. on the perimeter. However, with Trent playing through a serious illness and VanVleet running out of gas in the second half, the lack of sniping from deep is becoming problematic.
Trent has offered nothing, and the less than 100 percent healthy VanVleet’s torrid start to Game 2 was canceled out by him going ice cold from the field in the second and third quarters. OG Anunoby has a solid game, but he and the Raptors’ offense didn’t really perk up until victory was assured for Philadelphia.
The Toronto Raptors can’t hang with Philadelphia on the perimeter.
The 76ers may as well be shooting in an open gym with how efficient they have been from 3-point range in this series. Trent can’t keep up because of his injury. Siakam and Precious Achiuwa have combined for just four made 3-pointers in this series. VanVleet and OG Anunoby can only do so much.
At the very least, Toronto’s issues on the perimeter should serve as a wake-up call to the front office. Nurse can help some bad shooters improve, but he can’t pull off a playoff upset against multiple future Hall of Famers when most of the team is a non-factor from 3-point range.
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