BOX SCORE
Minutes before the Sixers played Wednesday against the Raptors, we learned that their game that night, for all intents and purposes, was meaningless. The Pacers’ win over the Rockets ensured that the Sixers would play the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.
That said, while Wednesday’s result was irrelevant and the game was completely decided by the Reserves in the fourth quarter, it is worth noting that the Sixers lost to the Raptors, 125-121. A short Stanley Johnson jumper in the lane with 4.9 seconds left was the winning course for Toronto.
The Sixers’ final seeding game is Friday night at 9 a.m. against the Rockets.
Here are observations on the game:
A short night for Embiid
Joel Embiid’s decision against double teams had been very positive in Florida, but he started a handful of errors in the first half, causing him to turn five times. One of those conversions came when he was hit on the right wrist by Marc Gasol, who appeared to be causing Embiid some pain. He checked back later in the game in the first quarter, but did not play the second half.
Embiid had x-rays on his right hand that were negative, according to a team spokesman, and was scheduled for limited minutes.
This does not look like a playoff environment – Serge Ibaka was out due to a right knee injury and the Raptors, like the Sixers, limited the playing time of their starters – but it was a solid experience for Embiid (albeit briefly) against Gasol , a player who has had success in the past against him, and against a defense that doubles double teams unpredictably and aggressively. He could not find many chances to attack, scoring only five points on four field goal attempts, and did not have the poise as the rhythm he had shown in the Sixers’ first few seeding games.
As always, the health of Embiid is important. He will, in all likelihood, have to be brilliant and play great minutes for the Sixers to go far in the playoffs.
Starters gelling
The lineup of the Sixers’ first pick without Ben Simmons began Wednesday, after each member next to Shake Milton missed Tuesday’s game due to rest or minor injuries.
On a night when there were plenty of excuses for coastal action due to the action, the high intensity stood out early when the Sixers built an 18-8 lead for their first exchange. The offense flowed well, with Tobias Harris hitting his first three shots and converting team 6 of his first 7.
Bubble Tobi. We love Bubi.
Give him 10 on the board so far. pic.twitter.com/1amkNtXzx5
– NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) August 12, 2020
Defensively, there was continued effort through the time of the shot, something that was not present at the boiling games at times. Everyone seemed to be on the same page and sharp in rotations. And against a team like the Raptors with a small starting shot from Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet, you’re reminded just how much of a nuisance the size and length of the Sixers can be, even with Simmons out.
Brett Brown said before the game that he was looking for “common denominators”, areas that could apply to both the recent seeding games and the playoffs. Defensive foundations would fall under that category, and they were generally strong from the starters in this one.
Along with Harris, who had 22 points, six rebounds and five assists, Al Horford (nine points, five assists, four rebounds in 18 minutes) looked particularly good. He made 2 of 5 threes against Toronto and is 8 for 16 from long range at Disney World.
Wednesday jam. 🍇
Horford finds Harris for a slam as the Sixers lead Toronto, 57-51. pic.twitter.com/rI2F7CuqL6
– NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) August 12, 2020
Stroke of the rotation
Injuries have prevented the Sixers from making a playoff rotation completely solid. Neither Alec Burks (left foot pain) nor Glenn Robinson III (left hip pointer) were available Wednesday.
Brown has indicated that the rotation is likely to be partially thickened by matchups. For example, Mike Scott would probably be on the bench against a smaller Celtics lineup that would have him up against a player like Gordon Hayward. In addition to Scott, who it appears could be classified as a situation player, Burks, Robinson, Matisse Thybulle and Furkan Korkmaz are in the interview.
Korkmaz had a strong shooting night, scoring 21 points and making 5 of 9 attempts from three points, but his defense may be concerned against the wings of Boston. If Robinson’s lingering hip injury is not a problem, Brown has said he likes his “clean” 3-and-D skill set. Thybulle, meanwhile, will certainly have value because of his defensive talents. Burks has improved its share with efficient scoring and sensible play. Since turning it against the Pacers four times on Aug. 1, he has had 12 assists and two innings.
Raul Neto is an option for ball handling, but Brown said after the Brazilian’s 22-point performance on Tuesday that he did not see himself as part of his roundabout after the season. In 27 minutes against Toronto, Neto had 17 points and five assists.
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