NAYZE MEDIA (BY: KAREEM RAHMAN @kblack_yb932 TWITTER)
SPORTS: NBA/PLAYOFFS
Cover Photo Courtesy: Philly Voice
If there is one first round opponent for the 76ers that I didn’t want to see, it was definitely the Toronto Raptors. Not because they have any superstars or anything. It’s just the fact that the 76ers have historically had extreme difficulties with the Raptors team…..any Raptors team! It really doesn’t seem to matter what players each team has, the Raptors have always been a horrible matchup for the 76ers. Last night’s win may have finally changed my mind to that way of thinking.
The 76ers blew Toronto out last night in a 131-111 cake-walk. And I know some people want to hit me with the “it’s only one game” line. Right? The problem with that excuse, is that Toronto just simply can’t f*ck with the 76ers…….at least, not in this playoff series. You saw the game last night just like I did. What’s the answer for stopping Joel Embiid? Double team him, so he can kick it out to someone on the perimeter? The 76ers may have too much ammo for that type of strategy this season. The 76ers were led by 21-year old, Tyrese Maxey who dropped 38 points last night in his first ever playoff appearance. Tobias Harris finally awoke from a long slumber, and chipped in 26 points. James Harden had 22 points and 14 assists. And Embiid still managed 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 assists in a pretty average night for him.
Outside of early foul trouble for Fred Van Fleet, we may have seen the Raptors play one of their better games this series. You disagree? Siakam had 24 points and 7 assists. O.G Anunoby had 20 & 7, and as I said before, Fred Van Fleet was in early foul trouble, but still managed 18 points and 6 assists. Toronto even got 15 pts, 10 rebs, and 8 ast from Scottie Barnes. That sounds like pretty good production to me. As a matter of fact, that sounds like MAXIMUM production for this Toronto team. It’s not going to get any better folks…..sorry.
I like the 76ers 4-1 in this series. The only game I’m giving the Raptors, is the first home game for them, game-3.
NAYZE MEDIA 