Raptors expect battle of stars against Sixers, as do-or-die Game 7 will likely increase starter minutes
Nick Nurse said that he expects Game 7 to be a fight to the very end, featuring the stars playing through the entirety of the game.
TORONTO — There have been moments in games, and even entire games, in this Eastern Conference semifinals decided by the stars on the 76ers and Raptors, and the Raptors head coach expects it to be a battle royal in Game 7 on Sunday.
Nick Nurse said that he expects Game 7 to be a fight to the very end, featuring the stars playing through the entirety of the game.
“I think the minutes thing for both teams are going to be off the table [Sunday],” Nurse said Saturday afternoon after practice. “I would expect the best players to play absolutely as many minutes as they possibly can all the way through until it’s decided.”
Through six games, Tobias Harris leads the Sixers at 36.5 minutes per game with Jimmy Butler and Ben Simmons following at 34.4 minutes per game. But what Nurse is expecting is more Embiid minutes.
Embiid, through six games, has averaged 28.9 minutes even through multiple illnesses and the Raptors, after a couple of off days, are expecting the Sixers to play their stars throughout most of Game 7.