By: Kylan Watson

After losing to the Miami Heat last night and officially eliminating them from the playoffs for this season. The Philadelphia 76ers faced the Toronto Raptors in the season finale of their matchup, the Raptors used a second quarter offensive explosion to beat the Sixers 127-109. With the loss the Sixers losing streak extends to eight games.

Both teams struggled to find their offense early in this contest, but Toronto was able to finally start hitting shots in the second quarter and Philly just could not respond to what they were doing. RJ Barrett scored 31 points in this game and the Sixers did not have enough lengthy defenders to stop him. He was able to get whatever he wanted from the field and use his strength advantage to attack the paint and get to the free throw line. In addition, he was able to create high-percentage shooting opportunities for his teammates who took full advantage of the wide-open shots he created for them.

Once again Philly could not overcome the combination of multiple defensive breakdowns and turnovers (16) to win this game. They gave up way too many easy shooting opportunities to the Raptors and allowed the younger Raptors to get out on the open floor which opened the floodgates for their offense. These things turned a winnable game into a blowout because the Sixers could not overcome their mistakes in this game.

Despite the Raptors dominating the majority of this game Philly still had multiple opportunities to take this game from Toronto but besides Lonnie Walker IV (23 points),  Jalen Hood-Schifino (18 points), Ricky Council IV (17 points), Jared Butler (15 points), Adem Bona (14 points) and Justin Edwards (12 points) nobody else showed up to this contest.

Lonnie Walker IV had one of his best games in a Sixers uniform, he how diverse his offensive bag truly is in this contest. Walker IV was able to hit shots from the perimeter, paint, and three-point line. He is really starting to get comfortable playing for the Sixers, and he will be a pivotal piece in the Sixers rotation. They need more players who will not be scared to shoot and can create shots for their teammates which Walker IV can do for Philly if they decide to keep him during the offseason.

In addition, Bona also continues to star in his role and has taken full advantage of being the starter over the last few weeks. He used his athleticism to get five blocks during this contest and he has an impressive ability to finish through contact for a rookie. In a very dark and tumultuous season for the Sixers he was one of the few bright spots. With another season to develop and become more comfortable with the Sixers’ system he could become the back-up center for Joel Embiid and even start as a power forward or center.

Toronto was able to respond to every run the Sixers make and a second quarter scoring explosion put this game out of reach for Philly in this contest. This allowed the Raptors to push their win streak to four games and pushed the Sixers even further down the standings in the loaded Eastern Conference.

The Sixers will now prepare to face the New York Knicks on Tuesday night, that game will mark the end of the season series between the Knicks and Sixers. Philly will need to cash in on the high-percentage shooting opportunities created off their ball movement, limit their turnovers, and force New York to take well contested shots and limit them to one possession. Implementing these things into their game plan for Tuesday night should put Philly in great position to win their 24^th game of the season.