The Philadelphia 76ers took a 1-0 series lead over the Toronto Raptors with a 131-111 win in part of their first-round matchup in the 2022 NBA playoffs. Before these two teams face off in Game 2, there’s a lot that can be analyzed for some key takeaways.
While much attention was placed on James Harden and Joel Embiid entering Game 1, it was Tyrese Maxey (38) and Tobias Harris (26) who ended up leading the 76ers in scoring. However, Harden (22) and Embiid (19) still combined for over 40 points despite being
Here are three takeaways from Game 1 of the Toronto Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers series in the first round of the 2022 NBA playoffs:
3. Raptors’ Simply Are Overmatched
Having one of the worst bench units in the NBA was a limitation the Toronto Raptors had faced all season. Come playoff time, all it takes is one injury to cause major damage to the overall rotation. With Scottie Barnes and Thaddeus Young both being doubtful for Game 2, Toronto is in trouble.
When excluding Thaddeus Young due to his injury early on, there were only seven players who were trusted by the Raptors to play double-figure minutes in Game 1. With Young and Barnes doubtful for Game 2, perhaps Yuta Watanabe, Chris Boucher, or Khem Birch will see the floor more.
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The Raptors entered this series with a clear size disadvantage against Joel Embiid. Losing Barnes makes it harder to swarm around on defense and to pressure James Harden. Embiid seems primed to send more Raptors players to the training room with his physical play throughout the series, too.
Even with the Raptors containing Embiid and Harden to a combined 11-32 (34.4 percent) from the floor, they were blown out. The 15-18 (83.3 percent) shooting on free throws from the two Sixers superstars raised the floor of their performances for Harden (22) and Embiid (19) to still combine for over 40 points.
2. Tobias Harris Championed His Role
There were questions from some about how Tobias Harris would fit alongside James Harden, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey given how much usage gets taken up between the three of them. He finished with 26 points, six rebounds, and six assists in Game 1.
With how much attention the top options in the offense were receiving, Harris frequently took advantage of spot-up opportunities to catch-and-shoot, or attack an out-of-rotation defense.
Harris raises the ceiling of the Philadelphia 76ers’ offense due to his versatility beyond just taking that easy catch-and-shoot look. He can use his size to shoot over the top when driving off the catch in addition to being a threat by using a shot fake and side-stepping to reload behind the 3-point line.
There were opportunities to cut against an out-of-position defense that Harris took advantage of, too. For as long as the Toronto Raptors will emphasize slowing down other players, Harris must look to exploit it to both his and his team’s advantage.
Harris had a strong end to the regular season and has only built on it at the beginning of the 2022 NBA playoffs. It’s a highly encouraging sign for the 76ers as they work toward realizing their championship aspirations this year.
Sometimes, all it takes is mastering the simple and utilizing it over and over until the defense adjusts. Harris could put that on display in this series if he continues to embrace it.
1. Tyrese Maxey’s X-factor Status Comes to Fruition
There was much talk about how well-equipped the Raptors are to contain James Harden entering this series. However, it’s clear they lack the necessary personnel to keep Harden, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey all in check simultaneously. Oh, yeah, and Tobias Harris, too.
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Maxey finished with a game-high 38 points while shooting 14-21 from the floor, 5-8 on 3s, and 5-5 on free throws. With how much the Raptors were loading up on his teammates, Maxey repeatedly made the defense pay in spot-up situations. His perimeter sharpshooting coupled with his explosiveness in attacking off the catch makes him a daunting matchup to account for.
The Raptors had no answers for Maxey on the open floor either. His speed created opportunities to put the afterburners on and get by a slower Raptors unit. However, his ability to attack off the catch was on display again between making a big 3 and using a change of pace to get to the rim.
The Philadelphia 76ers exhibited a few ‘unguardable’ moments with Maxey using ball screens. A high ball screen with Embiid resulted in a simple right-hand floater after the switch. Meanwhile, when running the second unit, a double-drag with Georges Niang’s shooting gravity and Paul Reed as a rim roller resulted in an easy finishing opportunity.
Further challenges for the Raptors were clear when Maxey was attacking in isolation as the focal point of the unit initiating the offense on back-to-back possessions. He drew Precious Achiuwa on a switch initially and made him pay with a tough 3. He followed it up by attacking Fred VanVleet near half-court and drawing a foul from a help rotation in the paint.
The Toronto Raptors will need to make a concerted effort to slow down not only James Harden and Joel Embiid in Game 2, but also Tyrese Maxey.
