Philadelphia 76ers: 3 takeaways from Game 3 dominance vs. Raptors

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 2: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during a game against the Toronto Raptors during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on May 2, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

With a dominant 116-95 Game 3 victory over the Toronto Raptors, the Philadelphia 76ers put the rest of the NBA on notice.

Following an uplifting win in Game 2 of their second-round matchup with the Toronto Raptors, the Philadelphia 76ers headed home with the chance to get a leg up in the series. Not only did they take a 2-1 lead over Toronto, but with a 21 point margin of victory in Game 3, the Sixers put out a statement to the rest of the league.

Philly led this game wire-to-wire on the strength of its play at both ends of the floor. The 95 points surrendered was only the second-fewest allowed all postseason long behind only its effort in Game 2. The 76ers also shot an efficient 51.2 percent from the field and 43.5 percent on 23 attempts beyond the arc

Toronto would cut the lead to just seven points early in the fourth quarter before surrendering an 11-0 run that put the game out of reach for good.

Joel Embiid was every bit the most dominant big man in the Game 3 victory. In just 28 minutes of action, the All-Star registered 33 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots on the evening. Jimmy Butler posted a near triple-double with 22 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.

On the Raptors side, Kawhi Leonard continued his phenomenal play in these playoffs, going 13-of-22 from the field on his way to 33 points. Pascal Siakam was next on the scoring list for Toronto. He finished with 20.

This was the type of outing Sixers fans had envisioned when this talented starting five came together in February. They fed off their home crowd’s energy and put forth a showing that not only has them in position to take control of this series on Sunday afternoon but may have some rethinking their Eastern Conference playoff predictions.