The NBA scoring champion this season had the last laugh.
Joel Embiid hit a three-pointer with 0.8 seconds left in overtime as the 76ers won 104-101 at Toronto to take a 3-0 series lead against the Raptors.
The crucial strike came from a throw-in from Danny Green, following a timeout requested by the Sixers.
The Raptors had one last chance after a timeout. Pascal Siakam handed over to OG Anunoby, but he was blocked and couldn’t shoot in time.
Embiid had 33 points, leading the league with 30.6 points per game this season.
Anunoby scored for three late in overtime, giving the Raptors a 100-99 lead. Embiid quickly replied with a long shot from two points, moving away from the basket.
Anunoby then tied the game with a free throw, with 26 seconds on the clock, but the game eluded the Raptors.
This is all the more true as Toronto took the lead by 17 points. The team has never been in deficit before extra time.
“It’s definitely a loss that hurts,” said Anunoby.
The outcome was somewhat reminiscent, conversely, of the outcome in the second round in 2019, in Toronto, where Kawhi Leonard’s famous shot eliminated the Embiid club.
Tyrese Maxey and James Harden scored 19 points each for the winners.
Harden was not playing in overtime, having committed a sixth foul late in the fourth quarter.
Embiid, Green and backup Georges Niang all had three 3-pointers for the 76ers.
Embiid grabbed 13 rebounds, one more than Tobiah Harris. Harden had 10 assists.
Anunoby led the Raptors with 26 points, two more than Gary Trent. He delivered an excellent game after weak contributions to Philadelphia, diminished by an illness that was not COVID-19.
Precious Achiuwa shone with 20 points. He did, however, miss two free throws with 26 seconds left in the fourth quarter, keeping the score 95-95.
Fred VanVleet contributed 12 points, largely a 2-for-10 record for long range shots.
“We fought very well and I’m proud of the guys,” said the veteran and squad leader. We were more intense (than in the first two games).
“Having said that, we have only ourselves to blame for how we finished the match. We will have to perform better on Saturday. Our pride is going to be at stake.”
Game number 4 will be presented Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in Toronto. The Raptors are hopeful they can count on the return to play of Scottie Barnes.
Injured on Saturday (a sprained left ankle), the rookie missed one more game, although he made encouraging progress.
Barnes was in morning practice. When he passed by the reporters, he no longer had the protective boot of the last days and was not limping.
Drafted fourth last year, Barnes is a contender for NBA Rookie of the Year.
In Game 1, Barnes had 15 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists when Joel Embiid stepped on his ankle in the final quarter.
Scotiabank Arena hasn’t hosted a playoff game since 2019, when the Raptors won the championship by beating Golden State in the Finals.