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Toronto Raptors: 3 takeaways from thrilling Game 7 win vs. 76ers

By Jonathan Turco

TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 12: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors reacts after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 12, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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)
TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 12: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors reacts after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 12, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images /

2. It’s all about the little things for Kyle Lowry

Miniature point guard Kyle Lowry may not be the scorer he was in seasons past, but he impacts the game in multiple facets. In Game 7 alone, there were four tales for Lowry and his impact.

The first was his thumb injury. Fairly early in the first quarter, Lowry inured his thumb on his non-dominant shooting hand (left) on a missed drive to basket trying to save his fall. After a few possessions, he was visibly showing pain trying to hold his thumb into place. Lowry left the game to be treated, but was able to return in the second.

Fred VanVleet was having a terrible stretch of play in this series, having only made one field goal. In relief to Lowry Sunday night, FVV played his best game — despite being held without a field goal again — through his tenacity on the defensive end, which included two steals.

The second tale was Lowry returning in the second quarter with his thumb taped up. As mentioned, FVV struggled to find his offense, and while not to the same degree, so did Lowry. Prior to the thumb injury, KLOE was without a bucket. That changed in the second quarter. The Sixers were showing life having taken the lead for the first time in the game and Lowry responded with a fading 3 from the corner to put his team up again. The Raptors were able to keep the lead for the rest of the frame.

The third comes in the third quarter during the 16-0 run from the Sixers. Lowry responded with a series of hustle plays to get his team back into it. He set up Ibaka with an easy layup. Then he rebounded back-to-back misses a few possessions later, which led to a 3 from Leonard to close gap within one. Lowry proceeded with a layup on the next possession to regain the lead. Finally, the team was able to extend the lead to three following a steal and assist from Lowry:

The fourth impact was in the final stretches of the game. Lowry had a key steal on Embiid near the logo, leading to a fast break assist on Siakam’s layup to put the Raptors ahead by three with roughly a minute left to play. Lowry’s counting numbers don’t tell the whole story of his impact on winning. His hustle is unique and contributed to the team’s Game 7 success on Sunday.