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Toronto Raptors: 3 takeaways from Game 3 loss vs. 76ers

By Jonathan Turco

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 02: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers in the third quarter of Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at the Wells Fargo Center on May 2, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Raptors 116-95. 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 02: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers in the third quarter of Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at the Wells Fargo Center on May 2, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Raptors 116-95. 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images /

2. Nick Nurse needs to make adjustments

If it wasn’t apparent going into Game 3 that head coach Nick Nurse needed to make adjustments to how well the Sixers have responded following their Game 1 loss, it is definitely apparent now after the blowout loss Thursday night.

The Raptors cut the lead to seven after a technical free-throw to start the fourth quarter. Nurse resiliently still went with a Kyle Lowry plus bench unit, regardless after all of Raptors’ Twitter was fuming over how terrible the bench has been this series. The Sixers continued using three or more starters with role players off the bench to start the even-numbered quarters, and the Raptors always got massively outplayed.

Gasol and Lowry were the team’s worst players on both ends of the floor at -26 and -28, respectively. Garbage minutes were not included. Just about the entire team was negative contributors on a night they lost by 21 points. As mentioned about Fred’s struggles and possibly replacing him with McCaw, that isn’t the only change the Toronto’s coaching staff will need to make.

Both Siakam and Leonard must play 40+ minutes in the remaining games to even have a shot at winning the series. They are the two players who consistently produce on both ends of the floor and their size matches up better with every Sixers’ starter not named Joel Embiid. Embiid took full advantage of the two-day break in between Games 2 and 3 and will definitely do so again to recover from his knee issues since they don’t play till Sunday afternoon.

This isn’t a call for panic, yet, but Nick Nurse and his coaching staff need to motivate their players and switch up the rotation to play more meaningful minutes against the Sixers if they want any chance at winning this series. Winning Game 4 will instill confidence in a very anxious, worrisome fanbase. To clarify, it is a must-win because it is not optimal to travel back home being down 3-1 in a series.

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