Player grades: Joel Embiid powers Sixers past Raptors in Game 2 win
PHILADELPHIA–The Philadelphia 76ers had the momentum to begin their Round 1 series with the Toronto Raptors and they were looking for more on Monday in Game 2. With the Raptors missing a key player in rookie Scottie Barnes, they were able to take advantage and take another step in this series with a 2-0 lead.
The Raptors started well and took an early 11-2 lead as they were playing with the desperation of a team that was facing an 0-2 deficit. However, Joel Embiid then kicked it into high gear and the Sixers went on a big run which eventually led to an easy 112-97 win as the series now shifts to Toronto for two games. Philadelphia led by as many as 29 before Toronto cut it to 11, but they were able to recover and come away with a win.
Embiid scored 19 points in the first quarter on his way to 31 for the game and he had 11 rebounds, Tyrese Maxey had 23 points, eight assists, and nine rebounds, James Harden had 14 and six assists with six rebounds, and Tobias Harris added 20 and 10 rebounds. Danny Green also had 11 points and he had a posterized dunk in transition that belied his 34 years of age.
Here are the grades from a Game 2 win:
James Harden: A-
This was another game where Harden showed off a lot of his passing skills. He made plenty of excellent passes in this one that got his teammates involved early and often. He is picking his spots on when to be aggressive with his own scoring and he seems to do it in the important parts of the game and that shows off the maturity of his game. He didn’t make many shots in this one, but when Maxey is playing the way he is, it makes such a huge difference for them and takes the pressure off Harden.
Tyrese Maxey: A+
The Raptors made their adjustment early in this one. They shaded much more attention towards Maxey after his explosion in the series opener. They crowded him at the 3-point line and he had a tough time really attacking on the offensive end. He struggled against Fred VanVleet on the defensive end as the Toronto star got busy early to set the tone for the Raptors. Once Philadelphia was able to free him up with some screens, Maxey was able to get going on the offensive end and help the Sixers move forward. The way he was able to make his own adjustment mid-game and was able to make big plays was so impressive for somebody at such a young age.
Danny Green: A
Unlike in Game 1, the Sixers were able to unlock Green a bit with some triples. He is going to be a key factor in this series so getting him going from deep is important. Once he got some to fall, the Raptors had to send some defenders his way which then opened things up for everybody else. He was very tough on the defensive end as well. This was another positive step for him.
Tobias Harris: A
In a game where it looked like Embiid was ready to make a statement to the Raptors, there was not much Harris did early. It was in the second quarter that he made his impact. He knocked down some shots in the paint and the pace with which the Sixers played got him an open triple. He was also very good on the defensive end as there has been a noticeable improvement in that area.
Joel Embiid: A+
The tone was set early in this one when Embiid and OG Anunoby picked up double technical fouls less than two minutes into the game. Embiid then took a hard hit from Pascal Siakam and he then went to work. The Raptors have a lot of length and that bothers the Sixers, but their roster is full of guys who are only 6-foot-9 or so and the big fella went to work against them all night long. There was nothing Toronto could do as they either had to foul or give up an easy look for him. He was also terrific on the defensive end protecting the basket. The Raptors had to make a lot of adjustments when he was at the rim.
Matisse Thybulle: B+
This was a tough start for Thybulle as he committed a couple of fouls early. He was not able to make his usual defensive impact other than a block and he did not contribute much on the offensive end. He was much better in the second half as he collected a couple of more blocks and he knocked down a triple. A slow start, but an excellent finish for him.
Georges Niang: B-
Niang had a tough time on the defensive end staying in front of Siakam and hanging with Chris Boucher and he picked up some fouls, but he was helpful on the offensive end. His contributions on that end are huge for Philadelphia as they look for the right help off the bench.
Shake Milton: B-
Milton entered the game and he knocked down a triple to contribute on the offensive end which gives the Sixers a boost on that end of the floor.
Paul Reed: B+
This was another solid outing for Bball Paul. He wasn’t making any crazy moves on the offensive end and he was playing within himself. He was tough on defense and he was able to keep Philadelphia afloat with Embiid on the bench. That is always the challenge and he’s been good in that area to start this series.
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