As the playoffs approach, the Raptors sent a serious message to the Philadelphia 76ers, possible opponents in the first round of the playoffs, Thursday in Toronto, by defeating them 119 to 114.
What’s more, Nick Nurse’s men pulled it off without the services of Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby.
In the absence of these two men, Pascal Siakam ensured the show by achieving a spectacular triple-double of 37 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists. Gary Trent Jr. also had a strong game, with 30 points, while Precious Achiuwa added 20.
Used for 24 min 48 s, Quebecer Chris Boucher had seven points and three rebounds. The other representative of La Belle Province, Khem Birch, completed his match with two points and three rebounds.
In addition, the Raptors were finally able to give Danny Green his championship ring, obtained at the end of the 2018-2019 season, when the only Canadian organization in the NBA triumphed in the final against the Golden State Warriors. Green will therefore have waited 1029 days, a little less than three years after the triumph, before receiving the object. The delay was caused by the player’s injuries, as well as COVID-19, which prevented him from returning to the Queen City.
Green eventually completed his game with 18 points. Joel Embiid was the most productive, however, with a double-double of 30 points and 10 rebounds.
The Raptors will be in action again on Friday in Toronto against the Houston Rockets before ending their season on Sunday in New York, where they will visit the Knicks.