It was a seemingly easy win for the Toronto Raptors against the Philadelphia 76ers tonight to improve to 3-2 on the young season. The Raptors led the entire way and were able to keep the Sixers at arms length throughout the 2nd half.
After suffering a slow start, Gary Trent Jr. lit the Sixers’ zone on fire in the 3rd quarter with 16 points on 6/7 FG and 4/5 3P in the frame alone. Trent Jr. ended the game with 27 points, hitting 11 of 16 attempts from the field and 5-10 from distance.
Pascal Siakam proved to be a problem which needed solving early on. Starting the game with 12 points in 8 minutes on a perfect 5/5 FG and 4/4 3P, and finished the quarter with 15. Doc Rivers made necessary adjustments and Siakam began seeing a lot of double teams on the ball and hard closeouts on his catch and shoot looks. Pascal adjusted accordingly, distributing the basketball with confidence. He finished the game with 20 points and tied his career high with 13 assists.
Adding 8 to Pascal’s 13, Fred VanVleet and Siakam combined for a cool 21 dimes to ensure the Raps seeing open looks consistently. Fred also contributed 15 points of his own.
Scottie Barnes joined in on the party with a double-double, 16 points and 10 rebounds with 5 assists on an efficient 6/11 from the field with no turnovers.
Quality win from the Raptors, overcoming 62 points on 63% shooting from Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey while James Harden flirted with a triple-double with 18 points 9 assists and 7 rebounds.
The same two division rivals clash in two nights as the 76ers revisit Scotiabank seeking revenge Friday, October 28th at 7:30 pm EST as the Sixers try not to leave their Toronto business trip empty-handed.
(Photo: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)