Raptors

[Feenom]

Percentages are against you when you don't have a true #1 big to counteract guys like Embid. He's playing out of his mind and there's a reason for that, he's good but the Raps just have no real answer for his game. His strength is that not only can he dominate inside but he has the outside touch as well. It's hard to like him though because he's flopping around the court like a fish outta water, which he doesn't need to do. Oh well, Raps got the short end of the stick in this one, retool and come back next year.

This has to be sweet revenge for Embid after all the kawhi shot tears he shed a few years back.

[2014olympicgold]

Fully "healthy" Raptors defend differently. This series has shown to me that the strategy works, but the margin for error is so thing because if this is your strategy there's no point in rostering a 7' 280lb backup center and if injuries happen you don't have a backup strategy to go to. Unless you want to pay $19mill on a center that doesn't fit your system for 1 player.

But I don't know what's gonna happen tonight. FVV hurt is just such a blow because yeah they have players who can shift to PG, but FVV is your captain almost. This guy means a lot to the team when he's going. Oh well, wasn't a sweep at least!

[2014olympicgold]

FVV Out tonight, potentially out game 6 if it makes it to then.

[Feenom]

Raps playing with some real heart. OG having a game and Precious playing great D. This is getting interesting wow.

[blayze]

This is the team I was expecting to show up from day one of the series. Amazing what a difference Barnes makes on both ends of the floor.

Good to see these guys reclaim some dignity and self-confidence.

Harden sucks bad - that trade is looking like a huge bust right now. Can't see these Sixers holding a candle to Boston or MIL.

[Feenom]

This is the team I was expecting to show up from day one of the series. Amazing what a difference Barnes makes on both ends of the floor.

Good to see these guys reclaim some dignity and self-confidence.

Harden sucks bad - that trade is looking like a huge bust right now. Can't see these Sixers holding a candle to Boston or MIL.

Agree, Barnes is a beast and this series could be 3-2 Raps but yes, Philly and Harden will get crushed by Boston or MIL.

[2014olympicgold]

1. Embiid is gassed when he doesn't get the benefit of phantom fouls to loosen the D around him
2. I stressed you can defend him if you have Barnes
3. Harden/Simmons trade for philly was more about dumping the Simmons contract (they also didn't pay him when he didn't play. Lots of money saved there) than it was about getting max value. Once Simmons left the team and brought in Curry with Harden's passing ability it opens things up for Embiid. Harden is also able to opt out this summer
4. Doc Rivers looks worried
5. Playing with house money and returning home. Lets go Raps.

[blayze]

Couldn't be prouder of these guys - without Steady Freddy no less!

We may be cooked for the series but at least they're making it entertaining.

[hockeyrobot]

What a season for this team. I really hope Nurse doesn't get poached here.

[2014olympicgold]

146 teams have lost the first 3 games of a 7 game series in the NBA. The Raptors became the 14th team to force a game 6. Only 3 teams have pushed it to a game 7. No team has come back to win the 7game series once starting 3-0.

Pretty sure only 5 teams have lost the series when they were up 3-1, 3 of the teams were coached by Doc Rivers.

[hockeyrobot]

146 teams have lost the first 3 games of a 7 game series in the NBA. The Raptors became the 14th team to force a game 6. Only 3 teams have pushed it to a game 7. No team has come back to win the 7game series once starting 3-0.

Pretty sure only 5 teams have lost the series when they were up 3-1, 3 of the teams were coached by Doc Rivers.

Ha just saw this too. Crazy stat.

[blayze]

Pretty sure only 5 teams have lost the series when they were up 3-1, 3 of the teams were coached by Doc Rivers.

Love that stat. Might as well make history and be the first coach to give up 3-0!

It will eventually happen why not us.

[2014olympicgold]

Ha just saw this too. Crazy stat.

I also liked the one where Precious Achiuwa scored 2 of the 76ers 11 bench points on that missed Thybulle 3pt. That was also Thybulle's only points of the game.

[Feenom]

On another note, did aliens come down and take away the real Kevin Durant? If this is the Durant moving forward he has taken such a huge step backwards, I know at some point his talent should dwindle but this is nuts. Tatum owned him.

[2014olympicgold]

On another note, did aliens come down and take away the real Kevin Durant? If this is the Durant moving forward he has taken such a huge step backwards, I know at some point his talent should dwindle but this is nuts. Tatum owned him.

Poor coaching, Irving didn't help, poor roster construction, and great play by Boston.

Poor coaching as in Durant was obviously tired and the coaching made him bring up the ball pretty much every time they had a play that had him running it. And Boston would man up on D at half or sooner every time. Brooklyn should have had plays that got Durant the ball after Kyrie brought it up to half, throw a pick, and give Durant the ball with the defender running behind him.

Also doesn't help when your roster is constructed in a way where a TON of your money had a sore back and didn't want to play. Super Teams that are bought now do not work anymore.