Toronto Raptors: 3 takeaways from promising Game 1 win vs. 76ers

The Toronto Raptors struck first in their convincing Game 1 win at home against the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

With a convincing Game 1 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, the Toronto Raptors took a 1-0 series lead and showed they aren’t the same Raptors of yesteryear. The game had historic proportions to it for both the franchise and their superstar, Kawhi Leonard.

Leonard set an individual milestone with a playoff career-high 45 points to go along with 11 rebounds, two assists, two steals and a highlight block on an efficient 16-for-23 shooting. Leonard’s double-double was the franchise’s first 40-10 performance (points and rebounds) in its 24-year history. The Raptors also silenced critics with their win by improving their overall record in Game 1s to 3-14.

Pascal Siakam was fantastic Saturday, posting 29 points, seven rebounds, an assist and three makes from beyond the arc on an overall efficient 12-of-15 shooting. No other Raptor posted double-digits in scoring, but it wasn’t necessary as the team’s dynamic duo was able to outscore the entire Sixers’ starting lineup 74-71. Kyle Lowry posted a near double-double with nine points and eight assists on 4-for-10 shooting.

For the Sixers, J.J. Redick led the team in scoring (17 points) thanks to his 15-point scoring outburst in the third quarter. Despite his poor shooting (6-of-17) and five turnovers, Tobias Harris posted a double-double with 14 points and team-high 15 rebounds in 39 minutes. Similarly to Harris, Jimmy Butler struggled shooting the rock (4-of-12) and had two turnovers while contributing 10 points, five assists, three rebounds and team-worst -23 plus/minus.

The superstar tandem of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid was not much better. Embiid was held to under 20 points for the first time this postseason (16) on 5-of-18 shooting. Simmons, the most efficient starter (14 points on 7-for-8 shooting and nine rebounds) was held under six assists on the night (two) for the first time this postseason, rendering his greatest quality — playmaking — mute.

The Raptors outscored the Sixers in all four quarters, starting the game with some red-hot shooting to push their lead to eight by the end of the first frame. The Sixers did their best to cut the deficit in the third quarter on the back of Redick’s 3-point shooting, but the Raptors were able to prevail and never lost their lead. The game was out of reach halfway through the fourth quarter. Here are the three takeaways from Toronto’s convincing Game 1 win.