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Sixers sleepwalk through loss to Raptors in Game 4: Likes and dislikes

Embiid Puts Up 40 in Sixers Victory Over Bulls: What I Saw

Joel Embiid

The Sixers (3-0) and Raptors (0-3) matched up for Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon. Philadelphia hoped to secure the series sweep with a win and advance to the second round of the playoffs. Toronto intended to force a Game 5 and send the series back to Philadelphia. Terrible execution on both ends shot the Sixers in the foot, forcing a Game 5 with a 110-102 loss to the Raptors.

Before we get to the game, allow me to set the scene.

Contextual Notes

The Sixers were without Matisse Thybulle, who is ineligible to play in Canada due to his decision not to get fully vaccinated. 

Charles Bassey sprained his right shoulder and was unavailable.

Joel Embiid was available. But according to numerous league insiders, he is battling what appears to be a significant injury to the thumb in his right hand. PhillyVoice’s Kyle Neubeck has more on the news.

Doc Rivers started James Harden, Tyrese Maxey, Danny Green, Tobias Harris, and Joel Embiid.

After missing Games 2 and 3 with a sprained left ankle suffered in Game 1, Scottie Barnes was available for Toronto. Less than 1 hour before game time, the NBA announced that Barnes had won the 2021-22 Rookie of the Year award.

Nick Nurse started Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr., OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, and Khem Birch.

VanVleet left the game in the second quarter with a strained left hip and did not return.

Likes

If the Sixers have done any one thing consistently excellently in this series, they’ve valued corner three-point shooting. Danny Green has been the recipient of some wonderful corner looks throughout the series. In a halfcourt environment, corner looks typically result from a dribble penetration series. It wasn’t just James Harden or Joel Embiid attacking the middle of the floor and dishing to Green once the Raptors cracked down in rotation. They were kicking to one side of the floor to Tyrese Maxey. The second-year guard would then drive and kick to…

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