Toronto Raptors: 3 takeaways from big Game 4 win vs. 76ers

The Toronto Raptors were victorious in Game 4 of their second round series against the Philadelphia 76ers, tying the series 2-2 as they head back home for Game 5.

Sunday afternoon at the Wells Fargo Center, an electrifying atmosphere ensued for the tightly contested match between the hometown Philadelphia 76ers and the visiting Toronto Raptors. With the score all tied up heading into the fourth quarter and virtually every main category at a stalemate, no one could’ve predicted the outcome.

In the end, the Raptors were victorious on the back of their superstar, Kawhi Leonard. He had a monstrous game, producing a double-double of 39 points and 14 rebounds on 13-of-20 shooting. All 39 of his points were instrumental in the team’s win, as he played a game-high 44 minutes. Four other Raptors were in double figures, as the team collectively shot 35-for-76 from the field.

Kyle Lowry had himself a nice game posting 14 points, seven assists, six rebounds and two makes from beyond the arc on 6-of-13 shooting overall. This is the second time in the series that Lowry contributed 10-plus points, five or more assists and five or more rebounds, with both games resulting in wins for the club. Marc Gasol was also great, adding 16 points, five rebounds and three assists on 7-of-13 shooting.

For Philadelphia, Jimmy Butler had himself another productive game with 29 points and 11 rebounds on 9-of-18 shooting. All five of their starters posted double-digits with Joel Embiid filling the stat sheet with 11 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks on 2-of-7 shooting, including 7-for-10 from the charity stripe. J.J. Redick was amazing, shooting 6-of-9 for 19 points, including four makes from deep.

Toronto set the tone early by going on a strong run in the first quarter, leading by as many as 11. The Sixers were able to bounce back to end the frame, cutting the deficit to three. The second quarter was a back-and-forth affair with Toronto still in control of the pace of the game thanks to Lowry and Leonard. The Sixers were able to end the half on a 7-0 run and cut the deficit to two. In the third quarter, the Sixers set the tone, but still had no answer for Leonard as he singlehandedly helped his team stay in the game, which was tied heading into the fourth.

It was all Lowry for Toronto early in the fourth while Kawhi rested, giving Toronto’s offense life. When Kawhi returned around the 10-minute mark, the offense ran exclusively through him. He made an impossible shot from deep after an improbable fadeaway jumper to put his team ahead for good. Danny Green fouled out of the game late in the fourth, but not before draining all his crucial free throws to help the Raptors distance themselves from a potential Sixers’ comeback. Here are three takeaways from their imperative Game 4 win.