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

[Kash22]

I just don't see Harden being able to beat ANY of the Raptors monster 6'8 defenders consistenly,
which means he'll sulk and check out while giving you double digit assists, poor effort on defense, but shooting a cool 4/15 on average.

Have seen this movie too many times.

Only chance Philly has is for Embiid to go absolutely bonkers and destroy the Raps. They're also going to need their shooters to make tough shots.

I expect Raptors in 5 to 7 games.

When have we seen that?? When has James lost to a team without a hall of famer on the opposing team?? When has harden lost a series he was supposed to win?? Harden hasn’t lost in the first rd in six years!

[makeready]

so excited for this series. sixers are my second favorite team and i love the fanbase, love joel, cant stand harden though. nurse vs embiid is a great story and its nice having the neutrals on our side

[makeready]

need this to go to 7 just so i can savor the matchup

[AussieCeltic]

Who does the Raptors have to throw at Embiid? Khem Birch? Boucher? Young? Don't see anyone stopping him, but their length can bother the rest of them, especially Maxey and Harden. Harden looks washed, and his ISOs go nowhere but brick laying jump shots.

I can see the Raptors pull the upset in 7. VanVleet, OG, Siakim, and GTJ can turn the series if they get hot.

Which teams have done a better job on Embiid than the Raps?

Celtics by far.

Game 1 - 3/17 from the field for 13 points
Game 2 (No Horford/R.Williams/G.Williams.... Enes Freedom played 41 minutes) - 14/27 from field for 41 points
Game 3 - 7/15 from the field for 25 points
game 4 - 3/9 from the field for 19 points

Take out the game we didn't have Horford, Timelord or G.Williams and we had to guard him with Enes Freedom (LOL), in 3 games Embiid was 12/41 (29%). Guarding him with G.Williams or Horford and then bringing a strong double as soon as he catches it with Timelord on the weak side was the key. He gets frustrated and tries to force it over the double teams.

[eyeatoma]

He did choke really badly at the end of the last few games during the Hawks series. He was just foolishly turning over the ball left and right and seemingly had no composure to make plays. He choked. 5-8-8 turnovers in subsequent games, I believe? He also was shut out in a second half earlier in that series?

Those were not great, but that doesn't label you a choker. He is the only reason the team is as good as it is. Ben Simmons is the #1 reason the Sixers lost that series.

Yeah I wouldn't define him as a choker at all. I do think he gets significantly worse at the end of playoff games and especially as series progress, though. His decision-making at the end of close games has been really, really bad. I chalk it up to slowly accruing experience (obviously something that he will continue to get better at - he is a basketball savant after all) and to his body just, for whatever reason, just getting gassed out by the end of playoff games. I strongly disagree that Simmons was the main reason the Sixers lost that series though. Embiid's disappearing act in game 4 when they had the chance to take a commanding 3-1 lead was a major reason they lost. Following it up with being by far the worse of the two players at the end of game 7 solidifies that. Yes, irrespective of Ben's mental cowardice in passing up an open dunk, Embiid was just awful in that 4th quarter and has somehow avoided the ire that Ben received.

So no, I don't think Embiid is a choke artist. But he absolutely choked last postseason, and badly.

Hawks series when he didn't show up as far as shooting, was directly related to his knee. He even said, some days it was fine, some days it was horrible. I agree, he had some big turnover issues, especially in the 4th. The whole team shut down though, not just him. It's hard for a center to be the one who takes over every time, when you're constantly double teamed and your PG is a zero on offense, letting any team play you 4 on 5.

[pingpongrac]

Who does the Raptors have to throw at Embiid? Khem Birch? Boucher? Young? Don't see anyone stopping him, but their length can bother the rest of them, especially Maxey and Harden. Harden looks washed, and his ISOs go nowhere but brick laying jump shots.

I can see the Raptors pull the upset in 7. VanVleet, OG, Siakim, and GTJ can turn the series if they get hot.

Which teams have done a better job on Embiid than the Raps?

Celtics by far.

Game 1 - 3/17 from the field for 13 points
Game 2 (No Horford/R.Williams/G.Williams.... Enes Freedom played 41 minutes) - 14/27 from field for 41 points
Game 3 - 7/15 from the field for 25 points
game 4 - 3/9 from the field for 19 points

Take out the game we didn't have Horford, Timelord or G.Williams and we had to guard him with Enes Freedom (LOL), in 3 games Embiid was 12/41 (29%). Guarding him with G.Williams or Horford and then bringing a strong double as soon as he catches it with Timelord on the weak side was the key. He gets frustrated and tries to force it over the double teams.

vs BOS: 33.1 MPG, 24.5 PTS (55 TS%), 12.5 REB, 5.8 AST, 2.5 TOV

vs TOR: 36.2 MPG, 29.0 PTS (59 TS%), 11.3 REB, 2.7 AST, 2.7 TOV

I don't know if I would say "by far". Like against the Celtics, Embiid had one massive game against the Raptors (36/11/4 on 81 TS%) which is skewing the numbers a bit. Achiuwa, Birch, OG, Barnes and FVV were all out (H&S protocols), so we started Boucher at C with 10-day hardship signees DJ Wilson and Daniel Oturu playing spot minutes off the bench. I think it's also worth noting that all Boston/Philly games took place before Harden was suiting up for the Sixers whereas Toronto played Philly twice in the last month and held Embiid to 25/11/2 averages on 16/42 shooting with 6 TOV -- and Harden to 15/6/12 averages on 8/24 shooting with 9 TOV.

[everdiso]

Which teams have done a better job on Embiid than the Raps?

Celtics by far.

Game 1 - 3/17 from the field for 13 points
Game 2 (No Horford/R.Williams/G.Williams.... Enes Freedom played 41 minutes) - 14/27 from field for 41 points
Game 3 - 7/15 from the field for 25 points
game 4 - 3/9 from the field for 19 points

Take out the game we didn't have Horford, Timelord or G.Williams and we had to guard him with Enes Freedom (LOL), in 3 games Embiid was 12/41 (29%). Guarding him with G.Williams or Horford and then bringing a strong double as soon as he catches it with Timelord on the weak side was the key. He gets frustrated and tries to force it over the double teams.

vs BOS: 33.1 MPG, 24.5 PTS (55 TS%), 12.5 REB, 5.8 AST, 2.5 TOV

vs TOR: 36.2 MPG, 29.0 PTS (59 TS%), 11.3 REB, 2.7 AST, 2.7 TOV

I don't know if I would say "by far". Like against the Celtics, Embiid had one massive game against the Raptors (36/11/4 on 81 TS%) which is skewing the numbers a bit. Achiuwa, Birch, OG, Barnes and FVV were all out (H&S protocols), so we started Boucher at C with 10-day hardship signees DJ Wilson and Daniel Oturu playing spot minutes off the bench. I think it's also worth noting that all Boston/Philly games took place before Harden was suiting up for the Sixers whereas Toronto played Philly twice in the last month and held Embiid to 25/11/2 averages on 16/42 shooting with 6 TOV -- and Harden to 15/6/12 averages on 8/24 shooting with 9 TOV.

Yup.

Especially love how the raps shut down his passing game.

[Raps1103]

Not as confident as my fellow Raptors fans. I believe in star power and Embiid is one of the brightest stars in the game at his offensive peak.

It's going to be tough slowing him down, especially if Scottie is starting at the 5.

In the Boston/Brooklyn thread you literally just said you believe in defense. Now you just said you believe in star power. Which one is it?

If you believe in star power then there is no better team to choose than the Brooklyn Nets. If you believe in defense than the Raptors would be the pick over the Sixers.

I'm just way more confident in C's beating the Nets than I am in Raptors beating the Sixers.

I picked the Raptors in 7 I just don't think it'll be as easy as people make it out to be.

Wait, what ? Who is saying it’ll be easy? Even optimistic raps fans are saying “raps in 6” what are you talking about ? Show me some serious posts, where someone sincerely says they think the raps will EASILY beat the 6ers”..

also … I love that someone called you out on your “I believe in Defense,” in one thread, and “I believe in Star power “ in this thread .. you definitely didn’t think someone would notice your contradictory stances ! Lol … I love it … good job, Los

[HumbleRen]

In the Boston/Brooklyn thread you literally just said you believe in defense. Now you just said you believe in star power. Which one is it?

If you believe in star power then there is no better team to choose than the Brooklyn Nets. If you believe in defense than the Raptors would be the pick over the Sixers.

I'm just way more confident in C's beating the Nets than I am in Raptors beating the Sixers.

I picked the Raptors in 7 I just don't think it'll be as easy as people make it out to be.

Wait, what ? Who is saying it’ll be easy? Even optimistic raps fans are saying “raps in 6” what are you talking about ? Show me some serious posts, where someone sincerely says they think the raps will EASILY beat the 6ers”..

also … I love that someone called you out on your “I believe in Defense,” in one thread, and “I believe in Star power “ in this thread .. you definitely didn’t think someone would notice your contradictory stances ! Lol … I love it … good job, Los

It’s not really contradictory at all, Nets have no semblance of defense while Boston has the best defence in the NBA. Philly has the best defensive player in our series so it’s not even comparable.

I tried to explain it as simple as possible for you, I hope it’s easy enough for you to understand it !

[Gasolina]

Those were not great, but that doesn't label you a choker. He is the only reason the team is as good as it is. Ben Simmons is the #1 reason the Sixers lost that series.

Yeah I wouldn't define him as a choker at all. I do think he gets significantly worse at the end of playoff games and especially as series progress, though. His decision-making at the end of close games has been really, really bad. I chalk it up to slowly accruing experience (obviously something that he will continue to get better at - he is a basketball savant after all) and to his body just, for whatever reason, just getting gassed out by the end of playoff games. I strongly disagree that Simmons was the main reason the Sixers lost that series though. Embiid's disappearing act in game 4 when they had the chance to take a commanding 3-1 lead was a major reason they lost. Following it up with being by far the worse of the two players at the end of game 7 solidifies that. Yes, irrespective of Ben's mental cowardice in passing up an open dunk, Embiid was just awful in that 4th quarter and has somehow avoided the ire that Ben received.

So no, I don't think Embiid is a choke artist. But he absolutely choked last postseason, and badly.

Hawks series when he didn't show up as far as shooting, was directly related to his knee. He even said, some days it was fine, some days it was horrible. I agree, he had some big turnover issues, especially in the 4th. The whole team shut down though, not just him. It's hard for a center to be the one who takes over every time, when you're constantly double teamed and your PG is a zero on offense, letting any team play you 4 on 5.

I don’t put any stock into the knee excuse. All stars pick up nagging injuries as the playoffs progress, and Joel always seems to have some minor injury excuse when he doesn’t play well. I really don’t think he was hampered by it to the point it explains his terrible play at the end of game 4 and his bad fourth quarters in games 6 and 7.

Rest of your points are well taken, though.

[Raps1103]

I'm just way more confident in C's beating the Nets than I am in Raptors beating the Sixers.

I picked the Raptors in 7 I just don't think it'll be as easy as people make it out to be.

Wait, what ? Who is saying it’ll be easy? Even optimistic raps fans are saying “raps in 6” what are you talking about ? Show me some serious posts, where someone sincerely says they think the raps will EASILY beat the 6ers”..

also … I love that someone called you out on your “I believe in Defense,” in one thread, and “I believe in Star power “ in this thread .. you definitely didn’t think someone would notice your contradictory stances ! Lol … I love it … good job, Los

It’s not really contradictory at all, Nets have no semblance of defense while Boston has the best defence in the NBA. Philly has the best defensive player in our series so it’s not even comparable.

I tried to explain it as simple as possible for you, I hope it’s easy enough for you to understand it !

The sad part is, you think you explain away your nonsense ..

Lol.. I like how you mention Boston’s TEAM defense .. yet for some reason ONLY mention that Philly has “the best Defensive PLAYER “ in the series ( which .. isn’t true) the raps are one of the best defensive TEAMS is the league, since the All star break.

If you believe in STAR POWER .. it doesn’t get more star power than KD! Lol ( not to mention Boston lost their defensive anchor (Williams) )

You’re a walking contradiction .. and your sad attempt at explaining it, was laughable !

Edit: if I’m not mistaken , both Tatum AND Embiid have said that Raptors play the best defense against them, that they’ve ever faced

[rocketsfan100]

If the Sixers can limit the raptors second chance points by controlling the defensive glass, this will be over in 6. The raptors are an damn good offensive rebounding team so this will be the key for the Sixers.

Second is they hustle and defelections shots a lot so the other key is keeping the turnovers down for the Sixers and Harden in particular. The raptors have a lot of athletic young wing defenders who defend harden well . This will be a tough series but the Sixers have the best two players but the raptors have way more depth. I got the Sixers in 7

[eyeatoma]

Yeah I wouldn't define him as a choker at all. I do think he gets significantly worse at the end of playoff games and especially as series progress, though. His decision-making at the end of close games has been really, really bad. I chalk it up to slowly accruing experience (obviously something that he will continue to get better at - he is a basketball savant after all) and to his body just, for whatever reason, just getting gassed out by the end of playoff games. I strongly disagree that Simmons was the main reason the Sixers lost that series though. Embiid's disappearing act in game 4 when they had the chance to take a commanding 3-1 lead was a major reason they lost. Following it up with being by far the worse of the two players at the end of game 7 solidifies that. Yes, irrespective of Ben's mental cowardice in passing up an open dunk, Embiid was just awful in that 4th quarter and has somehow avoided the ire that Ben received.

So no, I don't think Embiid is a choke artist. But he absolutely choked last postseason, and badly.

Hawks series when he didn't show up as far as shooting, was directly related to his knee. He even said, some days it was fine, some days it was horrible. I agree, he had some big turnover issues, especially in the 4th. The whole team shut down though, not just him. It's hard for a center to be the one who takes over every time, when you're constantly double teamed and your PG is a zero on offense, letting any team play you 4 on 5.

I don’t put any stock into the knee excuse. All stars pick up nagging injuries as the playoffs progress, and Joel always seems to have some minor injury excuse when he doesn’t play well. I really don’t think he was hampered by it to the point it explains his terrible play at the end of game 4 and his bad fourth quarters in games 6 and 7.

Rest of your points are well taken, though.

A meniscus tear isn't necessarily a minor injury. It's the most minor of potential long-term injuries there are. There are grades too. Jaren Jackson and Robert Williams just had them. Jackson was out nearly the whole season. Williams 4-6 weeks. James Wiseman is going to miss a whole season from it. Joel had a meniscus tear a few years ago that knocked him out of the season early. We were lucky it wasn't major, but it was definitely more than a "minor injury excuse". It's more like he has a high pain tolerance, unlike someone like AD.

[Wolfgang630]

I swear espn has like the same 5 segments everyday. One of them being “all the pressure is on harden??? Please tell me Tim legler or Stephen A or countless other people”. Beating a damn dead horse

[Los_29]

I'm just way more confident in C's beating the Nets than I am in Raptors beating the Sixers.

I picked the Raptors in 7 I just don't think it'll be as easy as people make it out to be.

Wait, what ? Who is saying it’ll be easy? Even optimistic raps fans are saying “raps in 6” what are you talking about ? Show me some serious posts, where someone sincerely says they think the raps will EASILY beat the 6ers”..

also … I love that someone called you out on your “I believe in Defense,” in one thread, and “I believe in Star power “ in this thread .. you definitely didn’t think someone would notice your contradictory stances ! Lol … I love it … good job, Los

It’s not really contradictory at all, Nets have no semblance of defense while Boston has the best defence in the NBA. Philly has the best defensive player in our series so it’s not even comparable.

I tried to explain it as simple as possible for you, I hope it’s easy enough for you to understand it !

Of course it’s contradictory. There is no team in the league with more star power than Brooklyn. If you believe in star power then Brooklyn is your pick. Boston is also without Robert Williams who is their most important defensive player.

If you believe in defense then the Raptors would be your pick in this series especially with how much trouble they’ve given Embiid and Harden. The Raptors are essentially a team full of athletic, switchable defenders. People who believe in defense would be salivating over the Raptors.

[Eyeamok]

If the Sixers can limit the raptors second chance points by controlling the defensive glass, this will be over in 6. The raptors are an damn good offensive rebounding team so this will be the key for the Sixers.

Yes you are 100% right and a big key to this is Paul Reed playing and playing with energy. But guess what, the Raptors have a secret weapon, Doc Rivers....so the 76ers will have to not only beat the Raptors but also play against Doc undermining their efforts.

I would love to see some sequences where there is Embiid and Reed on the floor together. Let Maxey, Harden and Harris or Green bomb away and grab offensive and defensive rebounds.

[LoveMyRaps]

Which teams have done a better job on Embiid than the Raps?

Celtics by far.

Game 1 - 3/17 from the field for 13 points
Game 2 (No Horford/R.Williams/G.Williams.... Enes Freedom played 41 minutes) - 14/27 from field for 41 points
Game 3 - 7/15 from the field for 25 points
game 4 - 3/9 from the field for 19 points

Take out the game we didn't have Horford, Timelord or G.Williams and we had to guard him with Enes Freedom (LOL), in 3 games Embiid was 12/41 (29%). Guarding him with G.Williams or Horford and then bringing a strong double as soon as he catches it with Timelord on the weak side was the key. He gets frustrated and tries to force it over the double teams.

vs BOS: 33.1 MPG, 24.5 PTS (55 TS%), 12.5 REB, 5.8 AST, 2.5 TOV

vs TOR: 36.2 MPG, 29.0 PTS (59 TS%), 11.3 REB, 2.7 AST, 2.7 TOV

I don't know if I would say "by far". Like against the Celtics, Embiid had one massive game against the Raptors (36/11/4 on 81 TS%) which is skewing the numbers a bit. Achiuwa, Birch, OG, Barnes and FVV were all out (H&S protocols), so we started Boucher at C with 10-day hardship signees DJ Wilson and Daniel Oturu playing spot minutes off the bench. I think it's also worth noting that all Boston/Philly games took place before Harden was suiting up for the Sixers whereas Toronto played Philly twice in the last month and held Embiid to 25/11/2 averages on 16/42 shooting with 6 TOV -- and Harden to 15/6/12 averages on 8/24 shooting with 9 TOV.

Embiid himself has said the Raps defend him the best. Enough said.

[LoveMyRaps]

FKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK IM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSED

[LoveMyRaps]

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[Yuri Vaultin]

Raps in 3

(That's how good they are!)

In all seriousness I'm just hoping for a good series that isn't determined by lopsided officiating and 40 free-throws between Embiid and Harden.