Eastern Conference | Round 1 | (4) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (5) Toronto Raptors (PHI 3-2)

[kuclas]

Well played, sir.

I am a little surprised that the Raptors haven't tried to play more zone. The Sixers have absolutely struggled with the zone in games this season. They certainly have the length to crowd Harden and Maxey on the perimeter. The Raptors actually did some nice trapping during that run in the 4th...definitely sped the Sixers up and helped fuel that run that got them back to 11.

If Barnes can't go on Wednesday - or even if he can go - I would try some zone if I were them.

They struggled against zone because they didn't have a lead guard that knew how to beat it. That changed once they got Harden. Don't think that would work too well anymore.

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Lmao this couldn't be further from the truth. Do u even know how the zone defense work?. Harden is 1 of the worse shooter in the league called a superstar. Zone defense will kill this team so don't let the heat get to the 2nd round cause u will find out the hard way

The heat have to play zone. Cause no real way for 6 foot 9 Bam to handle embiid 1:1. Than it’s just a matter of embiid getting frustrated with touches or not making the right passes or jacking up dumb shots. That’s what team relies on.

This is where Maxey and harden come in. Harden is very good at finding guys in half court. And unlike ben Simmons. You just can’t leave harden wide open. Even if he’s shooting 33-35% three pointers. That’s still a better rate than refuse to shoot Simmons.

I don’t know what to expect from a sixers heat series should they meet. Neither team was at full strength in any of the 4 games. Weird in a sense. The more short handed team won all 4 games when they met.

[timO]

so raps road to lost in 4

[durka]

double post

[Rubio9Guy]

I can't imagine being a 76ers fan and actually having to watch Harden and Embiid.

Two of the least appealing games

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[durka]

So maybe, maybe, Nick Nurse isn’t that good without Kawhi?

This series isn't some referendum on Nurse or redemption for Doc. The Sixers were already a significantly more talented team before the Raptors lost 2 of their key rotation pieces. No amount of coaching can turn Khem Birch and Malachi Flynn into players you win with. Even if fully healthy the Sixers were probably too good to beat, but the Raps at least had a punchers chance. When the talent-gap is this large I don't think it reflects on either coach.

My takeaway from this series is how great Embiid can be when he has players who space the floor and aren't scared of shooting instead of Simmons clogging the paint.

[Courtside]

Toronto was like 23rd in half-court offense this year. This idea refs are removing or robbing something from a subpar offense is comedy.

The Raptors led the league in defensive turnover%, when that isn’t going it’s uglY

It's about the contact allowed.

Joel has the physical advantage and to his credit, is trying to use it. The thing is, if he is going to do this then the opposing team has to be allowed to match his physicality. He bumps and shoves and flails and when any manner of similar contact is used to counter him, it's a foul. I'm not saying he should get hacked freely - of course not - but when he instigates the contact then what is a defender to do? Anything short of stepping aside avoiding even incidental contact send him to the floor and to the line.

We all know how falls on purpose in order to save his legs from further injury, but the rules do not change for him if he's made of glass, and he certainly shouldn't have impunity to create most of the contact that happens only to be protected against any matching contact. Players are allowed to stand their ground, lean into each other. It's a contact sport FFS, except only one player is being allowed to instigate that contact.

It's assymetrical in terms of how the rules are applied. Look, the Raptors are likely down 2-0 no matter, as the Sixer have really come out strong, so there is no need at all for the parade to the free throw line to blow the games open, and to put the Raps defense into a paranoid state of avoiding fouls. These games aren't entertaining to anyone once a 20pt lead is basically created by the first half refereeing. Is this good for the league? For viewers? For a perception of fairness? Nope, none of the above.

If you can't see this, then you are fooling yourself.

[bebopdeluxe]

Raptors nearly doubled their offensive rebounds, forced 14 turnovers instead of 3. All of that is nearly down to team effort and not one particular player.

And still lost by double digits. This iteration of the Raptors isn't good enough to win.

We'll find out soon enough. Personally I doubt that Philly can sustain shooting at 51.6% from the field and 48.4% from three for the remainder of this series. I'm expecting our defense to tighten.

But here's the challenge: Nurse has basically committed to double/triple-teaming Embiid or crowding the Embiid/Harden P'n'R action at the nail. When they bend their defense like that, it leaves Maxey and Harris - two guys who have lit the Raptors up so far this series - tons of space out there to eat. Doc Rivers said he spent this past week working on spacing...and it has worked (so far).

If Nurse wants to play more straight up to make things harder for Maxey and Harris, he gives Embiid more space to operate one-on-one, or less bodies to crowd the lane and take away the P'n'R. Can the Raptors survive that? We'll see.

[TheGameWinner]

I’m confused. Is Siakam getting suspended for intentionally hitting poor Joel Embiid in the face? Is he banned from the NBA? How do we handle this situation?

Not his first infraction!

Watch on YouTube

I think they are calling it a wash with the 3-1 elbows Embiid has thrown against our team

[bebopdeluxe]

I can't imagine being a 76ers fan and actually having to watch Harden and Embiid.

Two of the least appealing games

Sent from my SM-S901U using RealGM mobile app

I like to see my team score more points than the other team. How about you?

I also like to see Maxey light teams up like a f'k'n Christmas tree. That's fun!

[TheGameWinner]

it's honestly so embarrassing that everybody on the Raptors from the coach down to the fans whine about fouls after every game and don't take any accountability. they were down by over 20 points and still just cry about fouls. unbelievably pathetic.

I mean the game is about momentum. We were killing your team. Then Embiid gets a bunch of fouls in a row, deflates the game, puts our players into foul trouble. Hard to recover when you have 6-8 players on the court. The raptors team 5-12 is g-league... so we suck when the refs screw us.

That said, Philly is better this year. RS never means anything...

[BullyKing]

it's honestly so embarrassing that everybody on the Raptors from the coach down to the fans whine about fouls after every game and don't take any accountability. they were down by over 20 points and still just cry about fouls. unbelievably pathetic.

I mean the game is about momentum. We were killing your team. Then Embiid gets a bunch of fouls in a row, deflates the game, puts our players into foul trouble. Hard to recover when you have 6-8 players on the court. The raptors team 5-12 is g-league... so we suck when the refs screw us.

That said, Philly is better this year. RS never means anything...

You were up for like 3 minutes at the start of the game. The level of crying and whining is just beyond pathetic at this point.

[TheGameWinner]

it's honestly so embarrassing that everybody on the Raptors from the coach down to the fans whine about fouls after every game and don't take any accountability. they were down by over 20 points and still just cry about fouls. unbelievably pathetic.

I mean the game is about momentum. We were killing your team. Then Embiid gets a bunch of fouls in a row, deflates the game, puts our players into foul trouble. Hard to recover when you have 6-8 players on the court. The raptors team 5-12 is g-league... so we suck when the refs screw us.

That said, Philly is better this year. RS never means anything...

You were up for like 3 minutes at the start of the game. The level of crying and whining is just beyond pathetic at this point.

All I hear is the 7 bounces that bounced your only championship contention hopes. It's not crying, it's literally a fact. When our team is basically g-league outside of our top 4, and the refs put everyone in foul trouble, because of your stars baiting contact.. how is that not factual? Embiid is the biggest flopper in the league and troll.. who cost your team their only change in their history a championship (i.e. with Butler).

[BullyKing]

I mean the game is about momentum. We were killing your team. Then Embiid gets a bunch of fouls in a row, deflates the game, puts our players into foul trouble. Hard to recover when you have 6-8 players on the court. The raptors team 5-12 is g-league... so we suck when the refs screw us.

That said, Philly is better this year. RS never means anything...

You were up for like 3 minutes at the start of the game. The level of crying and whining is just beyond pathetic at this point.

All I hear is the 7 bounces that bounced your only championship contention hopes. It's not crying, it's literally a fact. When our team is basically g-league outside of our top 4, and the refs put everyone in foul trouble, because of your stars baiting contact.. how is that not factual? Embiid is the biggest flopper in the league and troll.. who cost your team their only change in their history a championship (i.e. with Butler).

Oh wow, what a surprise, the response is to remind us that you beat us in a game four years ago. The refs aren't putting everyone in foul trouble, they are putting themselves in foul trouble by fouling.

And who knows if that was our only shot at a championship. Maybe one year everyone will get injured and we can celebrate a fake title like you!

[Rubio9Guy]

I can't imagine being a 76ers fan and actually having to watch Harden and Embiid.

Two of the least appealing games

Sent from my SM-S901U using RealGM mobile app

I like to see my team score more points than the other team. How about you?

I also like to see Maxey light teams up like a f'k'n Christmas tree. That's fun!

I like watching actual basketball.

Maxey is fun for sure.

Sent from my SM-S901U using RealGM mobile app

[Cubbies2120]

[Sixerscan]

I mean the game is about momentum. We were killing your team. Then Embiid gets a bunch of fouls in a row, deflates the game, puts our players into foul trouble. Hard to recover when you have 6-8 players on the court. The raptors team 5-12 is g-league... so we suck when the refs screw us.

That said, Philly is better this year. RS never means anything...

You were up for like 3 minutes at the start of the game. The level of crying and whining is just beyond pathetic at this point.

All I hear is the 7 bounces that bounced your only championship contention hopes. It's not crying, it's literally a fact. When our team is basically g-league outside of our top 4, and the refs put everyone in foul trouble, because of your stars baiting contact.. how is that not factual? Embiid is the biggest flopper in the league and troll.. who cost your team their only change in their history a championship (i.e. with Butler).

You mean the play where Kawhi took like 7 steps before dribbling? Great example of how the refs aren't biased against your team.

You have a bunch of 6'8" guys alternating between sprinting at Embiid and being incapable of maintaining post position against him, I'm not sure how you can expect a lot of fouls not to be called. Go get a real center like you had in 2019 and it won't happen as much.

[76ciology]

Toronto was like 23rd in half-court offense this year. This idea refs are removing or robbing something from a subpar offense is comedy.

The Raptors led the league in defensive turnover%, when that isn’t going it’s uglY

It's about the contact allowed.

Joel has the physical advantage and to his credit, is trying to use it. The thing is, if he is going to do this then the opposing team has to be allowed to match his physicality. He bumps and shoves and flails and when any manner of similar contact is used to counter him, it's a foul. I'm not saying he should get hacked freely - of course not - but when he instigates the contact then what is a defender to do? Anything short of stepping aside avoiding even incidental contact send him to the floor and to the line.

We all know how falls on purpose in order to save his legs from further injury, but the rules do not change for him if he's made of glass, and he certainly shouldn't have impunity to create most of the contact that happens only to be protected against any matching contact. Players are allowed to stand their ground, lean into each other. It's a contact sport FFS, except only one player is being allowed to instigate that contact.

It's assymetrical in terms of how the rules are applied. Look, the Raptors are likely down 2-0 no matter, as the Sixer have really come out strong, so there is no need at all for the parade to the free throw line to blow the games open, and to put the Raps defense into a paranoid state of avoiding fouls. These games aren't entertaining to anyone once a 20pt lead is basically created by the first half refereeing. Is this good for the league? For viewers? For a perception of fairness? Nope, none of the above.

If you can't see this, then you are fooling yourself.

Raps brought it to themselves by letting 6’9” players defend Jojo. Jojo defenders are either too short or too weak.

When you are at a disadvantage physically on defense, you tend to gamble more to compensate for it. This is why you see Achiuwa getting played around with those dream shakes and up and under by jojo.

Siakam, Birch, Achiuwa and Boucher all are too weak to not get bullied by Embiid at the paint. See how deep he is getting inside the paint.

If you have Giannis, Horford, Gasol or Brolo defending Jojo, Jojo wouldnt be able to score this easily.

There is no Raps player that has the combination of size and quickness to defend Jojo.

Jojo’s defender and the help defense has to gamble (jump, tries for deflection, tries to block the path) in order to stop jojo and those are leading to fouls.

Did we all forget that playoffs is all about star power and match-ups?

Sixers have both the star power and the advantage on match-ups.

[Cubbies2120]

I can't imagine being a 76ers fan and actually having to watch Harden and Embiid.

Two of the least appealing games

Sent from my SM-S901U using RealGM mobile app

I like to see my team score more points than the other team. How about you?

I also like to see Maxey light teams up like a f'k'n Christmas tree. That's fun!

I like watching actual basketball.

Maxey is fun for sure.

Sent from my SM-S901U using RealGM mobile app

The Sixers are good enough to win this series 4-1 without the free throw baiting. That's the frustrating part - they don't need to rely on baiting the refs, but they do and it makes it tough to watch. Contrast that with watching an offense like the Warriors.

My favorite player is about to get swept or 4-1'd out West but watching the Warriors offense is a thing of beauty. Reminds me of "The Beautiful Game" version of the Spurs, except with even better shooters.

[Courtside]

Toronto was like 23rd in half-court offense this year. This idea refs are removing or robbing something from a subpar offense is comedy.

The Raptors led the league in defensive turnover%, when that isn’t going it’s uglY

It's about the contact allowed.

Joel has the physical advantage and to his credit, is trying to use it. The thing is, if he is going to do this then the opposing team has to be allowed to match his physicality. He bumps and shoves and flails and when any manner of similar contact is used to counter him, it's a foul. I'm not saying he should get hacked freely - of course not - but when he instigates the contact then what is a defender to do? Anything short of stepping aside avoiding even incidental contact send him to the floor and to the line.

We all know how falls on purpose in order to save his legs from further injury, but the rules do not change for him if he's made of glass, and he certainly shouldn't have impunity to create most of the contact that happens only to be protected against any matching contact. Players are allowed to stand their ground, lean into each other. It's a contact sport FFS, except only one player is being allowed to instigate that contact.

It's assymetrical in terms of how the rules are applied. Look, the Raptors are likely down 2-0 no matter, as the Sixer have really come out strong, so there is no need at all for the parade to the free throw line to blow the games open, and to put the Raps defense into a paranoid state of avoiding fouls. These games aren't entertaining to anyone once a 20pt lead is basically created by the first half refereeing. Is this good for the league? For viewers? For a perception of fairness? Nope, none of the above.

If you can't see this, then you are fooling yourself.

Raps brought it to themselves by letting 6’9” players defend Jojo. Jojo defenders are either too short or too weak.

When you are at a disadvantage physically on defense, you tend to gamble more to compensate for it. This is why you see Achiuwa getting played around with those dream shakes and up and under by jojo.

Siakam, Birch, Achiuwa and Boucher all are too weak to not get bullied by Embiid at the paint. See how deep he is getting inside the paint.

If you have Giannis, Horford, Gasol or Brolo defending Jojo, Jojo wouldnt be able to score this easily.

There is no Raps player that has the combination of size and quickness to defend Jojo.

Jojo’s defender and the help defense has to gamble (jump, tries for deflection, tries to block the path) in order to stop jojo and those are leading to fouls.

Did we all forget that playoffs is all about star power and match-ups?

Sixers have both the star power and the advantage on match-ups.

So you're basically saying that one sided officiating should be expected because Joel already has an advantage and it's about star power.

At least you're being honest.

[BullyKing]

It's about the contact allowed.

Joel has the physical advantage and to his credit, is trying to use it. The thing is, if he is going to do this then the opposing team has to be allowed to match his physicality. He bumps and shoves and flails and when any manner of similar contact is used to counter him, it's a foul. I'm not saying he should get hacked freely - of course not - but when he instigates the contact then what is a defender to do? Anything short of stepping aside avoiding even incidental contact send him to the floor and to the line.

We all know how falls on purpose in order to save his legs from further injury, but the rules do not change for him if he's made of glass, and he certainly shouldn't have impunity to create most of the contact that happens only to be protected against any matching contact. Players are allowed to stand their ground, lean into each other. It's a contact sport FFS, except only one player is being allowed to instigate that contact.

It's assymetrical in terms of how the rules are applied. Look, the Raptors are likely down 2-0 no matter, as the Sixer have really come out strong, so there is no need at all for the parade to the free throw line to blow the games open, and to put the Raps defense into a paranoid state of avoiding fouls. These games aren't entertaining to anyone once a 20pt lead is basically created by the first half refereeing. Is this good for the league? For viewers? For a perception of fairness? Nope, none of the above.

If you can't see this, then you are fooling yourself.

Raps brought it to themselves by letting 6’9” players defend Jojo. Jojo defenders are either too short or too weak.

When you are at a disadvantage physically on defense, you tend to gamble more to compensate for it. This is why you see Achiuwa getting played around with those dream shakes and up and under by jojo.

Siakam, Birch, Achiuwa and Boucher all are too weak to not get bullied by Embiid at the paint. See how deep he is getting inside the paint.

If you have Giannis, Horford, Gasol or Brolo defending Jojo, Jojo wouldnt be able to score this easily.

There is no Raps player that has the combination of size and quickness to defend Jojo.

Jojo’s defender and the help defense has to gamble (jump, tries for deflection, tries to block the path) in order to stop jojo and those are leading to fouls.

Did we all forget that playoffs is all about star power and match-ups?

Sixers have both the star power and the advantage on match-ups.

So you're basically saying that one sided officiating should be expected because Joel already has an advantage and it's about star power.

At least you're being honest.

No, what he is saying is that the Raptors have no one to guard Embiid so they are forced to foul him and - gasp - the refs are calling them. This isn't complicated.