Sixers-Raptors observations: Joel Embiid’s settling for jump shots, Nick Nurse’s adjustments
The Toronto coach made a key decision by having small forward Kawhi Leonard guard Jimmy Butler from the outset of Game 7.
TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors defeated the 76ers, 92-90, in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series Sunday night at the Scotiabank Arena.
Here are some observations and best and worst awards:
Three observations
- Raptors coach Nick Nurse made a great coaching adjustment by having small forward Kawhi Leonard guard Sixers swingman Jimmy Butler from the start of Game 7. That took Butler out the game and prevented him from being the offensive leader he had been in Game 1.
- Nurse’s second great coaching move involved having center Marc Gasol shadow Sixers two-time All-Star Joel Embiid. Gasol checked into the game whenever Embiid checked in and checked out whenever Embiid checked out. As a result, each played 45 minutes, 12 seconds.
- Embiid’s reluctance to go down low was obvious and hurt the Sixers. The center was 1-for-6 from the three-point line. Embiid also missed his first nine jump shots after saying he had missed too many in Game 6.
Best and worst awards
- Best performance: This goes to Leonard. He scored a game-high 41 points to go with eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. The 27-year-old also hit the game-winning shot, a 15-foot, fadeaway jumper at the buzzer.
- Worst performance: I had to give this to Greg Monroe. The Sixers backup center graded out at a minus-9 in 1 minute, 41 seconds of action. He also turned the ball over and missed his one field-goal attempt during his brief time on the floor.
- Best defensive performance: Gasol receives this award for his team-high three blocks and for guarding Embiid.
- Worst statistic: This goes to the Sixers’ 17 turnovers, which led to 21 Raptors points.
- Best statistic: This goes to Toronto’s 16 offensive rebounds.