Story and Photos by Ashley Dorcely
Toronto versus Philadelphia was 3-2 in favor of Philly going into Thursday night’s game. Toronto had fought back from a 3-0 deficit. The Raptors’ home court advantage in the Six is legendary because fans do not only gather inside Scotiabank Arena but also outside in Jurassic Park. This game would be only the third playoff game played here since the 2018 – 2019 season. The winner of the series will get to move on to Round 2, where the number one seed in the Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat await them.
Toronto’s Gary Trent takes baseline jumper over the outstretched hand of 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey and onlooker James Harden
The Raptors came out firing. At 8:04 in the first quarter Toronto was ahead 15-10. It didn’t seem as if the Raptors were tight at all. But the 76ers James Harden was focused on attacking the basket and getting to the foul line early on. His intentions helped cut the score halfway through the first to 15-14. As the quarter continued Toronto seemed to be taking more outside shots than Philly. The Raptors finished the first up 34-29 with the home fans very much into the game.
Chris Boucher being inserted into the lineup in the first after OG Anunoby picked up his second foul was a major injection of energy. But the second quarter started just as the first ended with the 76ers playing both a 2-3 and a 3-2 zone enticing and baiting Toronto into shooting from the perimeter. So far though Joel Embiid, the possible MVP had not made an impact offensively.
That was not going to last long as the “Sleeping Giant” and maybe sleeper as an MVP candidate would soon awaken. The quarter was filled with a bevy of shots leading to several lead changes. At halftime the score was 62-61 Toronto ahead. The Raptors’ hopes on playing a game seven was still alive. Both teams had several double digit scorers. Chris Boucher led Toronto with 19 points. While Joel Embiid made up for his slow start leading his squad with 16 points.
Philadelphia came out swinging like “Rocky” in the second half. By 8:48 in the third quarter the score was 76-67. Philly was hitting on all cylinders, inside and outside. I was hoping for a Chris Boucher siting after a timeout. But that was not the case. Instead there was a turnover resulting in another Tyrese Maxey three followed by a missed three pointer by Precious Achiuwa and Joel Embiid getting fouled.
The lead had now ballooned to 13. You could hear the angst in the fans stained with fear as the Raptors couldn’t make a basket. At 5:20 in the third quarter the score was 87-67 Philadelphia. OG Anunoby finally made a basket for the Raptors at about 4:50 followed by a 76ers offensive foul.
76ers ‘ Joel Embiid shoots free throw line jumper against Raptors’ OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam and Precious Achiuwa
But the Raptors run was quickly stopped . After a James Harden three the score at the 3:51 mark was 92-70. Coach Nurse called another timeout before things got completely out of hand. I couldn’t help but wonder how VanVleet was being missed at this time. With 30.3 left in the third the score was 97 – 75. Joel Embiid committed a foul on Chris Boucher then stepped over him a la Allen Iverson(look it up). That made Boucher jump to his feet and walk towards Embiid.
The refs had to separate them. The officials also decided to review the foul as a possible flagrant foul. This inflamed the crowd so they serenaded Embiid with some love(that’s sarcasm). At the end of the third the score was 99-78 Philadelphia.
At the midpoint in the fourth quarter the Toronto offense seemed uncertain and discombobulated. The 76ers had taken the bite out of the Raptors and the spirit from Scotiabank fans. Even with a considerable lead by Philadelphia, the full court defense of Tobias Harris on Pascal Siakam continued. The Raptors also decided to press but they could not claw their way back into this game.
With 2:14 left in the game and the score 126-94, Coach Nick Nurse emptied his bench and the 76ers Coach Doc Rivers did likewise.
The season was coming to an end. The team from the Six would not make it to Game Seven in this series!