The Toronto Raptors can clinch the season series with the visiting Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night by completing a sweep of their two-game, back-to-back set.
The Raptors took the opener on Sunday with a 116-115 overtime victory. They hold a 2-1 lead in the season series between teams a game-and-a-half apart in the standings after splitting two games at Philadelphia in November.
Their game Sunday included 16 lead changes and 15 ties.
The 76ers led late in the fourth quarter and again in overtime but could not close the deal, which has been a problem for them this season.
“We just have to be better, be more disciplined and stay together in those moments where we’re facing a little bit of adversity, because we both made runs,” said Philadelphia’s Kelly Oubre Jr., who had 13 points, four steals and three blocked shots in the loss. “But you know, theirs was the final shot.”
Oubre played in his third game after missing 22 with a sprained knee ligament.
“He hasn’t really scored much since being back, so that’s obviously nice to see,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said. “He even hit a 3, but he had some really nice drives. He had a couple of good blocks and steals as well, which is why we ended up playing him as much as we did down the stretch.”
Scottie Barnes led Toronto with 31 points, including the winning free throw in the final second of overtime. He missed his second free throw deliberately.
“When you need a stop, (Barnes) gets you a stop,” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. “When you need a rebound, he gets you a rebound. When you need a bucket, he gets you a bucket. And it is well-documented how he plays in the fourth quarter, what kind of force he’s bringing.”
Tyrese Maxey scored 38 points for the 76ers, who had won five of their previous six.
Both teams were without important players.
Joel Embiid (knee injury management) and Paul George (knee) did not play for Philadelphia. George was a late scratch.
“Yeah, he just got some stiffness in his leg,” Nurse said. “We tried to warm him up two different times, and just couldn’t get to where he could push off on it enough or accelerate.”
Brandon Ingram (thumb) and RJ Barrett (ankle) were out for Toronto and are considered day-to-day. Jakob Poeltl (back) continued on the sidelines but seems poised for a return.
Toronto also lost Ja’Kobe Walter to a hip pointer in the first quarter.
Rookies Collin Murray-Boyles and rookie Alijah Martin rose to the occasion. Murray-Boyles started and had 17 points, 15 rebounds, three steals and three blocked shots.
“He plays hard,” Rajakovic said. “He’s not shying away from any type of contact. He’s another guy that only cares about how to help the team, how to help winning.”
Martin played his second consecutive impressive game as a reserve after seeing little NBA action this season. He recorded first NBA career points Friday against the Boston Celtics when he scored seven in 15 minutes.
He played nearly 30 minutes on Sunday and registered nine points, eight rebounds, four steals and two blocks.
“I’m one of the guys that enjoys playing defense,” Martin said. “That’s what this game is all about, opportunities and taking advantage of them.”
“He’s not shying away from the moment at all.” Rajakovic said. “He has that winning mentality.”
–Field Level Media
