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10 things from Raptors-76ers

theScore

Welcome to the 10 things recap by theScore features writer William Lou, which serves to highlight emerging trends from a Raptors perspective.

  1. Throwaway: It's hard to draw any conclusions from this loss since the Raptors were without Kawhi Leonard, Serge Ibaka, and Jonas Valanciunas while playing on the second night of a back-to-back. Both teams lacked urgency, and the Sixers eventually ran away with the win.

  2. Different: Ben Simmons flat-out dominated from start to finish. Simmons overpowered Danny Green, used his quickness to blow past OG Anunoby, and put on his best Magic Johnson impersonation on the fast break. None of this was happening when Leonard forced Simmons into 18 turnovers over the first two meetings between these two teams.

  3. Punishing: Joel Embiid simply manhandled Greg Monroe in the post to the tune of 27 points on 15 shots. Monroe carries enough bulk to replicate the resistance that Valanciunas provides, but he simply shies away from physicality and was far too soft against Embiid.

  4. Featured: Pascal Siakam stepped up as the Raptors' No. 1 option and scored 26 points on a career-high 21 shot attempts. Siakam capitalized on mismatches and off hustle plays, but he struggled when matched with length in the post and when he was challenged to shoot from deep. Those are his next areas of improvement.

  5. Gutsy: Kyle Lowry returned after missing four games with a thigh injury and put on an impressive showing with 20 points in his hometown. His mobility was limited, but he was opportunistic on offense, creative in the mid-range and on his drives, and active on defense. Another three days off should do wonders for his body.

  6. Encouraging: Norman Powell submitted another solid performance where he was calm and composed in his approach to offense. Powell nailed his corner threes, finished at the rim, and even made a few nice passes. More of this, please.

  7. Sad: It only gets worse for C.J. Miles, who lost his minutes to Powell in the second half. Miles started the game with a bad turnover, then committed a lazy foul instead of getting back on defense, despite the Raptors being in the bonus, and shot an air ball on the ensuing possession. He just looks utterly dejected on most nights.

  8. Spark: Fred VanVleet gave the Raptors a quick shot in the arm with a flurry of jumpers in the first quarter, but went cold in the second half. VanVleet would be wise to continue embracing the mid-range jumper as an option off the high screen, as most times he won't be able to finish in the paint over legit 7-footers like Embiid.

  9. Sassy: Philadelphia's Big Three all earned technical fouls for showing up the officials. Jimmy Butler and Embiid were penalized over foul language, while Simmons got a tech for sitting down with courtside fans after a weak foul call. All in all, the Sixers shot 35 free throws to 19 for the Raptors, so maybe the protesting worked.

  10. Intriguing: The Sixers might have something with Jonah Bolden, their second-round pick from last year. He was a strong deterrent at the basket and active on the glass, compiling four blocks and nine rebounds.

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