By: Kylan Watson

The Philadelphia 76ers are now locked into the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. They knew that before they stepped on the floor against the Toronto Raptors tonight. They did not have much to play for either as they are locked into the second seed in the East. However, when these two teams get together it creates a thrilling game. The Raptors were able beat them 125-121.

The Sixers started off fast out of the gate. They were able to attack the basket, and once again had a good performance from the three-point line. They got out to a 16-point lead because they made 17 out of 40 three-pointers. The player that benefited the most from the hot shooting was forward Tobias Harris.

He scored 22-points and grabbed six rebounds. He made his return to the starting line-up after missing yesterday’s game against the Phoenix Suns with a sore ankle. Harris really needed this great performance he has been sputtering offensively in the last few games. Harris attacked the basket and hit his perimeter shots. Harris will need to continue to be aggressive in the absence of forward Ben Simmons.

The Raptors were able to storm back in the second half though. They also were hot from the three-point line. They hit 18 out of 43 three-pointers. Guard Kyle Lowry was the main cog in their scoring attack.

He scored 19-points and had three assists in 24-minutes of work. Lowry also was able to find his teammates for open three-point shots and lay-ups.

The role players for the Raptors were also able to get into the act and carve up the Sixers on both sides of the ball. Forward Norman Powell scored 17-points and hit three of his six attempts from the three-point line. When he was chased off the three-point line, he would then attack the basket and the Sixers had no answer for him.

Ultimately the depth of the Raptors helped them beat the Sixers tonight. It was not all bad for them. Head coach Brett Brown continues to see good play from the role players. Who will be called upon in the playoffs and in the last seeding game on Friday night against the Houston Rockets.  Brown continues to look for more role players to step up and add to the playoff rotations. Friday night will be the last chance for those role players like guard Raul Neto to make the case to be added to the playoff rotation for the first-round match-up against the Boston Celtics.