76ers bounce back hard, dominate Raptors to force Game 7

There seemed to be little doubt as to who was in control on Tuesday night at Scotiabank Arena.

The Toronto Raptors cruised to a 125-89 win against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series. The win gave them a 3-2 series lead, and they seeming poised to reach the Eastern Conference finals in six games.

Even though it seemed as if there was little fight left in them, the 76ers clapped back — hard.

The 76ers cruised to a dominant 112-101 win against the Raptors in Game 6 at the Wells Fargo Center on Thursday night to even up the series and force a Game 7, something many didn’t see coming.

“More than anything, I just think that tonight we let our defense start us out and dictate our offense, which is what I always say,” Butler said. “Whenever we play like that, we’re hard to beat. Home, on the road, neutral site, that’s how we have to play basketball.”

The 76ers came out hot, jumping out to a 13-5 lead out of the gate. While the Raptors pushed back, briefly grabbing a two-point lead near the end of the first quarter, Philadelphia kicked off the second quarter on a 13-2 run to grab a 19-point lead behind a pair of big 3-pointers from JJ Redick and Joel Embiid.

Seemingly past Tuesday’s 36-point blowout, the 76ers entered the locker room up 15 at halftime. Butler dominated offensively in the first half, too, dropping 19 points and shooting 9-of-15 from the field.

Embiid, Simmons take off

After scoring just three points in the first half, Embiid took off in the third quarter.

The 76ers big man scored 10 points in the third period on Thursday night and came up with two huge blocks to push Philadelphia’s lead to 20 by the end of the quarter. Ben Simmons added nine points in the third, too, and closed out the period on an 18-6 run, all but putting the Raptors away.

From there, the deficit was too much for the Raptors to overcome. Philadelphia held on in the fourth quarter to grab the 11-point win, forcing Game 7 and keeping its postseason alive.

Butler led the 76ers with 25 points, eight assists and six rebounds, shooting 9-of-18 from the field. It was Butler, Philadelphia coach Brett Brown said, that set the pace early.

“The way he started, even the way he ended the first half, he just stamped his authority, and his skill package and his will ... he was all over that game,” Brown said. “The mood in the locker room as we went through sort of an early shoot around ... before, you could sense the serious side. They got the moment, and I think he got it as much as anybody and led us. He’s a tremendous leader, and his performance mirrored his attitude.”

Simmons added 21 points for the 76ers, and Embiid finished with a double-double, scoring 17 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.

“It started from the beginning, coming in knowing that this was a do or die situation, so I knew that I had to come in with high spirits,” Embiid said. “You play the usual, like it always does, but that’s what I’ve got to keep on doing. Do the little things, and everything’s going to follow.”

Kawhi Leonard led the Raptors with 29 points and 12 rebounds. Pascal Siakam added 21 points, and Kyle Lowry finished with 13 points. They were the only three Raptors players to score in double figures. As a team, Toronto shot just 9-of-36 from behind the 3-point line.

Game 7 of the series will take place on Sunday night in Toronto, with the winner advancing to take on the Milwaukee Bucks in the conference finals.

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