On April 19, Beijing time, the NBA playoffs continued to unfold, with the 76ers sitting at home against the Raptors. The game was played at home to the 76ers, with a 20-point win last time to take a 1-0 lead. The Raptors started out in excellent shape, but the 76ers quickly adjusted, reversed the score 16-2, then took the initiative on the court and gradually opened the point difference, after which the Raptors were unable to catch up. In the end, the 76ers beat the Raptors 112-97 to take a 2-0 lead.
Nova Barnes was absent and Achuva started
In this campaign, Raptors rising star Barnes was absent due to injury, and the starting lineup made adjustments, and Achuva entered the starting lineup. The Raptors initially occupied the initiative on the court, but the 76ers quickly exploded a wave of 16-2 attacks to catch up with the score, and then the two teams fell into a tug-of-war, and the Raptors took a one-point lead in the first quarter. But in the second quarter, the Raptors' feel declined, VanVleet's three-point continuous iron, the team also fell into passivity, losing 16 points in a single quarter, and trailing by 15 points after halftime.
At this time, I believe that the Raptors miss Barnes very much, and the latter's absence still has a great impact on the team, and the internal line lacks impact. The second half was also under the control of the 76ers, and the Raptors failed to make several counterattacks in a row, either losing themselves or someone standing up to get points. In the final moments, Embiid and Raptors coach Nas were still talking fiercely on the sidelines, perhaps questioning how many free throws you had taken. With the 76ers winning again, taking a 2-0 lead, the next game will be headed to Toronto.
The Raptors' two cores are 14 of 43, crazy to play iron
Without Barnes, the core members of the team, Van Vliet and Siakam, did not feel good this time, shooting 14 of 43 from the field and shooting only 32%.
VanVleet played 44 minutes, 7 of 23 shots, 5 of 16 three-pointers, 20 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks, the data is still very comprehensive, but the shooting rate is too poor, only the first quarter is very accurate, and then failed to continue.
Siakam played 41 minutes, shooting 7-of-20 from the field, 0-of-1 from three-point range, and had 20 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal, a plus-minus -23 second-worst on the team. Failing to show their energy depends on whether the return to the home field can find the rhythm. If you are 0-3 behind, you have no chance.
11 points in a single quarter, 2 consecutive outbreaks
Maxi played very well in the first game, which is the key to the team's big victory, and this time he continued the strong momentum, although he did not get 30+ like the previous game, but also had a comprehensive performance of 23 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists. The first game showed the explosive power of the score, and the second game showed its own comprehensiveness, and the 76ers did not read it wrong.
Embiid scored 19 points in the first quarter, and In the second quarter, Maxi took over, scoring 11 points in a single quarter to help the team pull the score apart. With Embiid and Harden around, Maxi has found the rhythm of playing, which is what the 76ers are willing to see, only then will they have a chance to compete for the championship.
Combined with 88 points and 36 rebounds, the Big Four was born
The last game of the 76ers Embiid + Harden + Maxi + Harris ushered in an outbreak, this time once again to blast the opponent, combined to bomb 88 points, only 9 points less than the Raptors team. Among them, Embiid showed dominance, with 31 points and 11 rebounds, including 19 points in the first quarter, and I believe the outside world will definitely make a fuss about his number of free throws.
Harden was at ease this time, with 14 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals on 3 of 9, but there were also 5 mistakes, which still needed to be adjusted. Harris continued his excellent form in the first game, with 20 points and 10 rebounds on 7-of-11 shooting.
At first, the outside world was optimistic about the Raptors, and now the 76ers have a 2-0 lead, depending on whether the Raptors can respond in the next game, and for the 76ers, only by winning the road can it be considered a success.