Raptors Keep Coming Up Short in Loss to 76ers
Tonight’s game opened ideally for the Raptors. They hit their early shots — Quickley sank three quick triples, and Scottie Barnes held his own against Joel Embiid. Ochai Agbaji started in place of the injured Jakob Poeltl, bringing fresh energy to the lineup.
The 76ers, dressed in their classic Iverson-era black jerseys on a matching court, quickly matched the Raptors’ rhythm and even outscored them 17–15 in the initial run. Trendon Watford made a strong impression early, scoring seven points and grabbing a pair of offensive rebounds. His assertive play caught Philadelphia off guard.
Philly maintained steady ball movement, feeding Tyrese Maxey — the league’s leading scorer — to keep their offense flowing. Yet, the Raptors found momentum behind two Shead three-pointers and another from Barrett, giving them a brief edge.
When Sandro Mamukelashvili entered the game, it gave Maxey larger defenders to challenge, but the Raptors benefited from better ball movement. Their first ten of eleven baskets came off assists, showcasing improved offensive coordination.
Collin Murray-Boyles was the first to join off the bench and delivered an impactful start. He brought defensive intensity, stole the ball from Oubre Jr. in transition, added pressure on the perimeter, and moved effectively without the ball.
“It was a clear shift in rotation, and Murray-Boyles’ energy changed the tone of the second unit.”
Author’s Summary
The Raptors opened strong with fluid ball movement and energy from key reserves but couldn’t sustain momentum against a sharp and balanced 76ers squad.