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76ers-Raptors best worst: DeRozan, Stauskas and Sixers twin towers disaster

    by Keith Pompey
    Published 

Here's my look at some of the best and worst performances from the Toronto Raptors' 123-114 victory over the 76ers on Wednesday at Wells Fargo Center:

Best performance: This was an easy one. DeMar DeRozan had a game-high 31 points despite sitting out the fourth quarter. The Raptors shooting guard made 11 of 18 shots and 9 of 11 foul shots. He had five rebounds, three assists and two turnovers in 29 minutes, 44 seconds of action. Fourteen of his points came in the third quarter.

Worst performance: This was a tough one, because several Sixers deserved this award. But I decided to give it to Nik Stauskas.  The Sixers reserve shooting guard was held to two points after missing all three of his shot attempts – including going 0-for-2 on three-pointers – in 18 minutes of action. Stauskas also failed to grab a rebound and dished out just one assist.

Best defensive performance: Raptors reserve guard Norman Powell gets this award. The second-year player out of UCLA recorded a team-high two blocked shots to go with a co-team high two steals. He also finished with a six points.

Best performance by a Sixer: Robert Covington wins this award after producing season highs of 26 points and 12 rebounds to go with two assists and three turnovers. Seven of his rebounds came on the offensive end.

Worst statistic: You have to give this to the Sixers' first-half foul shooting. They made just 66.7 percent (10-for-15) of them during that time.

Best statistic: This award goes to Raptors' front-court scoring advantage. DeRozan and point guard Kyle Lowry, a Cardinal Dougherty and Villanova product, outscored the Sixers starting guards, 51-32.

Worst of the worst: This has to go to the Sixers' twin towers in the starting lineup experiment.  Jahlil Okafor started at center, while Joel Embiid slid down to power forward. Let's just say, it didn't work on this night. Their spacing was bad. They often ran to the same spot while being confused on where to go. Embiid only attempted six shots en route to scoring a season-low nine points.

Follow and contact 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter and on Instagram at PompeyOnSixers.