I thought Game 5 was going to be a slim loss for the 76ers, and one that will be followed by two thrilling wins to shock the world, and the Raptors.
They still have an opportunity to win this series, but Tuesday night was anything but a marginal defeat. It was massive and ugly. Toronto out performed, out classed and out hustled the Sixers. It was embarrassing. Unless they shape back into form quickly, Wells Fargo Center will be an unpleasant place to be Thursday night for Game 6. It's one thing to lose as underdogs. It's another to look like you don't even belong.
For two straight days, I said without hesitation that the Sixers are the better team in this series, despite the fact they blew a golden opportunity to take Game 4. That take seems pretty foolish after the Raptors cruised to a 125-89 Game 5 victory at Scotiabank Arena, taking a pivotal 3-2 series lead in this Eastern Conference Semifinal. The 76ers showed a little bit of fight at the beginning of the third quarter, but a 21-point halftime deficit was too much to overcome. Regardless of who's better, the Sixers missed their opportunity to establish that over the weekend. Now, they're on the brink of elimination.
Here are observations to what could be the penultimate game of the season if Thursday night isn't a win.
Embiid and Simmons Don't Appear Ready To Win
Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons are the 76ers franchise cornerstones, but neither performed at that level in Game 5. Their playoff inexperience was exposed by the seasoned and disciplined Raptors.
I understand there are a lot of people upset with Embiid for being sick with an upper respiratory infection. I can't count how many times I heard on Monday, "There's always something with this guy." After the season, it's worth questioning why his health was this poor at different times during the season. But for now, he deserves at least some credit for trying to play through obvious discomfort. It's visually clear that he's not 100 percent. How upset would you be with him if he didn't play at all?
Now, as far as his performance on the court--that's inexcusable. He's not getting let off the hook there. Everything was satisfactory. Embiid showed more aggression than he did in Game 4, but his assertiveness was often out of control—driving into traffic and losing the ball. There was very little discipline to his game. The same goes for Simmons, who's increase in aggression was overshadowed by his turnovers and lack of production offensively.
The two combined for 13 giveaways (eight for Embiid and five for Simmons), while making only eight shots. They're All-Stars on the team and the guys supposed to carry them to glory. Tuesday night they were arguably the biggest liabilities on offense with their carelessness. Embiid finished with 13 points and six rebounds in 31 minutes, going five-for-10 from the floor and just one-for-two from the foul line. Simmons was three-for-five with only one foul shot attempt in 25 minutes, finishing with seven points.
Brett Brown ended up pulling his starters with just over 8 1/2 minutes left in the game. Yikes. That says everything right there.
Erratic Offense
It never felt like the Sixers were in a healthy flow offensively. They were out of rhythm, turning the ball over and taking bad shots.
Meantime, Toronto was drilling three-pointers left and right, getting offensive rebounds and creating healthy looks through their teamwork and screens.
The Raptors finished with 16 made three's compared to the Sixers six.
Unacceptable Second Quarter
After the first quarter, Brown told TNT's Ros Gold-Onwude that he was shocked day be down one point after the way they played in the opening 12 minutes against Toronto.
It wasn't too long after that comment that things got out of control, with Toronto winning the second quarter 37-17.
At one point, Embiid, Simmons and JJ Redick combined for 10 points ,while four of the Raptors starters were in double figures scoring.
Kawhi Didn't Take Over, and Toronto Still Blew Out Phila
Kawhi Leonard wasn't his super human self. He was still sensational, but not the only player on the floor for Toronto as was basically the case in Games 2 through 4.
The key for the Sixers in this series was to make sure nobody else in addition to Leonard was giving it to them, yet, every starter on Toronto was very good to sensational in Game 5—each reaching double figures in terms of points.
Meantime, Redick barely got any clean looks for the Sixers, ending his night with just three points.
Butler Remained The "Adult" In The Room For Philadelphia
There is one positive to take from this series at this point—Jimmy Butler proved he deserves a max contract from the 76ers. He was the "adult" in the room, as Brown often likes to say. Butler is a mature leader that needs to be around to lead by example for Embiid and Simmons.
Overall Take
The Sixers' effort and composure needs to be much better Thursday night in South Philadelphia, otherwise the paying customer will let them have it—loudly.
Bold Prediction
Call it a homer pick if you want, but I stand by my original prediction—the Sixers will empty the tank Thursday night and win Game 6. It feels like people are giving up on their chances, which I believe they'll use as fuel to will them to a close victory. At that point, momentum swings at least a little. Toss the ball up in the air and let these teams duel it out on Mother's Day.
The Sixers weren't themselves Tuesday night. They're way better than that. If they clean up their defense, limit the turnovers and transition buckets and start making some shots on their own, they'll win two in a row and move onto the second round.
Nothing changes. Sixers in seven.
