The Toronto Raptors lost another tough one last night.
The Raptors' losing streak reached six games last night as they fell to the Philadelphia 76ers in overtime, 104-101. This was another heartbreaking loss for the struggling Raptors. Raptors are now 13 - 18 and have slipped to 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings.
Pascal Siakam was the lone bright spot for Toronto, recording a season-high 38 points and 15 rebounds and 6 assists in the game. He singlehandedly brought the Raptors back from a 14-point deficit with an impressive 19-1 run late in the third quarter and into the fourth. With 10 of Toronto's 19 points during that spree coming courtesy of him, it gave the team some life en route to seemingly tying things up before meeting their fate in overtime.
Siakam also shot 13 for 27 from the field, 3 for 7 from 3-point range, and 2 for 4 from the free throw line. His efforts weren't enough, though, as his teammates Fred VanVleet with nine points and OG with 13 points combined to hit just 7 out of 25 attempts from the floor. Toronto shot 42% from the field and an abysmal 11 for 40 from long distance - dooming them to yet another loss in what has been a difficult stretch lately, to say the least.
Injuries are Taking a Toll on the Raptors
The Toronto Raptors have been struggling lately due to injuries. Without Precious Achiuwa, Gary Trent Jr., and Otto Porter Jr., the Raptors are thin off the bench. With the lack of depth, Toronto has been relying heavily on its stars to carry a heavier load - something that is not sustainable for a team for an extended period.
Tobias Harris Delivered the Dagger in Overtime
With 2:12 left in overtime, Harris hit a 3-pointer that put the Sixers ahead for good and gave them the win in a back-and-forth game.
Harris impressed not only his teammates but also his coach. Joel Embiid said, "He’s a star in his role,” and head coach Doc Rivers praised Harris for dedicating himself to becoming an improved spot-up shooter over the summer. His quick release enabled him to notch another three on the next possession, though it was overturned to an illegal screen after review, which kept him from having a chance at a 4-point play.
This win marks Philadelphia's fifth straight victory, mainly due to Joel Embiid's MVP-caliber performance and Tobias Harris' clutch shooting abilities. His timely three-pointers served as the dagger that put away Toronto late in the game and delivered the Sixers another win to bring them into the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference.
