3 Raptors takeaways after heartbreaking Game 3 loss to 76ers

3. Toronto has no answers for Joel Embiid.

While Embiid is in the middle of an MVP-type season, many analysts and fans (myself included) seem to believe that the Cameroonian star’s skill could be limited if he wasn’t getting fouled on every play. Luckily for Philly, Embiid proved those theories to be insufficient after he obliterated Toronto’s defense.

Even though they managed to keep Embiid away from the free-throw line, he recorded 33 points and 13 rebounds to go along with his game-winner. While it’s easy to point to flaws with the roster, the bottom line is that Embiid is a Hall of Famer at his peak. That level of greatness can overcome whatever technical quirks Nurse throws at him.

The Toronto Raptors can’t stop Joel Embiid.

We can parse through any sort of advanced numbers you want, but it’s really hard to beat a team with a 7-1 center who can shoot from anywhere and handle the ball at 300 pounds. Even if he doesn’t go to the foul line, Embiid is capable of singlehandedly winning this series.

In order for the Raptors to win this series, all they have to do is make sure that one of the five most physically dominant forces in the league during the last 20 years is unable to get hot on offense while somehow trying to get to the rack against him. Simple, right?