The Toronto Raptors are reeling, just a bit, after a Friday loss to the Sixers that featured something we don’t normally see — a disappointing effort.
Facing a Philly team without Joel Embiid, the Raptors nevertheless allowed a career-high explosion from playoff heel Tyrese Maxey, who dropped 44 points in a 112-90 win. Sure, there was a need from their opponent to get back to form, but the Raptors let down in all the areas they’ll need to be consistent in order to hang with a tough Eastern Conference. They were sloppy defending dribble drives, weren’t able to execute help sequences on James Harden, and allowed an undermanned, struggling team to get in a groove.