Series Review Philadelphia Vs Toronto

The 3^rd seed 76ers came up against the 6^th placed Raptors in a series that captured the intrigue of the league. Two outstanding GMs in a post season match-up that presented as a coin flip to the neutral fan. Both teams were a chance to advance to the next round, GM Dylan, a regular to the post-season would have to produce his absolute best to overcome a deep and well-built foe in GM Nenjamin who was playing to make the second round for the first time since the Lebron James era many moons ago. 93% of the experts predicted the 76ers would advance, while the author of this piece was in the 7% that backed the Raptors.

Game 1 @76ers 108 def by Toronto 119

The Toronto Raptors surprisingly drew first blood on the road behind an inspired team performance that saw every starter score in double digits. Tyus Jones led the away team with 25 points, while Thompson and Holmgren each had a double-double, Amen recording 10 assists to go with his 13 points and Holmgren 14 points and 13 rebounds. While Philadelphia’s starters struggled to keep up with the fired-up Raptors, their bench kept the game close as all players finished with positive +/- numbers. Nenjamin’s best was unsurprisingly DeAaron Fox who set the tone with 30 points and 4 assists, though his 32 minutes and uncharacteristic foul out was probably one of the deciding factors for this game. The 76ers had some reflecting to do after game one and would need to work quickly to devise a winning strategy before their next home showing. Toronto skipped out of this game with genuine hope for the series, taking home court advantage away from the higher seeded 76ers.

Game 2 @76ers 123 def Toronto 113

In an inspired bounce-back to form, GM Nenjamin’s boys and his starting unit found cohesion to edge out the Raptors by 10 points. With Smart’s return, the 76ers were able to force a number of turnovers from Jones and Thompson which created fast-break opportunities at the other end for their speed-machines Westbrook and Fox. The 76ers controlled the glass (+5) finishing with 13 second chance points. Once again Fox was the man for the home team as he cruised to 31 points and 7 assists while Smart’s return to the starting lineup would prove a momentum builder for Philadelphia.

Game 3 @ Toronto 107 def by 76ers 116

Game 3 is where things became interesting, Philly had bounced back from a gut-punch to find a winning combination with Smart off the injury list. It was now up to the Raptors to defend homecourt and answer the latest challenge thrown at them by Nenjamin. Both teams appeared to back their system and deliver a similar lineup to the previous game with minor tweaks on the defensive end, and the result was an arm wrestle. Toronto delivered the first haymaker taking a 10-point lead at the first break and carrying it through the first half. Whatever Nenjamin said in the locker room at the half spurred on his roster as they went on to outscore the Raptors 58-41 in the second half. Though beaten on the glass, the 76ers proved too gritty once again with Smart starting. Fox finished with 37 points, 7 assist and 6 rebounds in a starring performance.

Game 4 @ Toronto 114 def 76ers 109

Down 2-1 Dylan’s boys treated game four as a must-win. A 3-1 deficit would prove to be curtains heading to Philly, a decisive win was what was needed. Much like the previous game with the away team jumping out to an early lead. Urgency set in for the Raptors at the start of the third as their first run for the game came. A 32-25 3^rd quarter had the home team leading into the final quarter by just 1 point. With Dylan biting his nails and pacing around the room, his boys rallied to win the final quarter by 3 points, scraping their way to a famous victory. With the series 2-2 after 4, anything was on the table for the remainder of the series. Brandon Clarke into the starting line-up was the masterstroke in this game which threw Philalphia’s game plan in the dirt. Quality work at the controls by Dylan brought his team back into the series.

Game 5 @ 76ers 117 def Toronto 110

After a series of tight finishes game 5 was huge for deciding the outcome. Whoever edged out the opposition would get 2 swings at advancing in an engine where each game is a literal coin flip. The Raptors would once again make changes, bringing in Giddey and Waters to the starting lineup while handing the keys to Amen to run the point guard. Nenjamin made a move as well, bringing in Wiggins to play the SF position. Although Wiggins wasn’t able to deliver an efficient offensive game, his efforts on the defensive end played a part in upending some of Toronto’s strategy. Perhaps Dylan went too hard on the changes as his team wasn’t able to steal this one but his ambition and strategy are to be commended.

Game 6 @ Toronto 117 def by 76ers 125

The 76ers arrived in Toronto 3-2 up and on the verge of making the second round. The Raptors had thrown a number of different lineups at their rival with mixed results. This time GM Dylan would ride the lightning and with Clarke, Giddey, Waters and Thompson in the starting lineup. The 76ers would roll the same lineup as in game 5 putting the pressure on the home team to beat them or be eliminated. The 76ers looked home after the first 3 quarters entering the last with a 15-point lead and the energy of a contender. Toronto fought gallantly until the end, closing the gap to 8 points without being able to edge in front. Giddey was the best player for the home team totalling 34 points while Fox once again proved to be the difference with 34 points and 5 assists.

GM Nenjamin and the 76ers should be commended with their playoff series win, a major breakthrough for the franchise who has been building steadily over the past few seasons. The 76ers will now head to the conference semi-finals against one of the favourites to win the East, the Milwaukee Bucks. For Toronto it’s a disappointing, however their efforts to build a young team that will only be better for the experience should not be overlooked. The future is bright for the Raptors. Congratulations to both GMs for an exciting series.

Final Score 76ers win series 4-2
Player of the Series- DeAaron Fox