By: Kylan Watson

After falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night, the Philadelphia 76ers faced the Toronto Raptors tonight in Philadelphia for the front end of their third back-to-back of the season. Philly debuted their historic black jersey and used a second half offensive explosion to take down Toronto 130-120.

The Sixers struggled to find their offensive rhythm early in this contest, but Toronto did not have that problem they were able to make a couple of three-pointers and before Philly could even settle into the game they were down by 14 points at the end of the period. Immanuel Quickley (22 points and made 5 three-pointers in this contest), RJ Barrett (22 points), and Brandon Ingram (21 points) they combined for 65 of Toronto’s 120 points. Once again, the Sixers could not put up enough defensive resistance on the perimeter, and the Raptors trio took full advantage of their size advantage over Philly. Quickley used his speed advantage to cut through Philly’s defense and made them look like they were standing still. He got Philly in early foul trouble, and this Raptors team will be a problem throughout this season.

The Sixers really could use Paul George and some more defenders who can be dependable on the perimeter, but until he returns, they must find someone who can stop these explosive wings that they see on a nightly basis. Otherwise, they will continue to get torched on the wings and it will cost them games during this 82-game season.

Despite the offensive explosion from Toronto’s trio the Sixers were able to weather the storm thanks to Tyrese Maxey (31 points), Joel Embiid (29 points), and Trendon Watford (20 points, grabbed 17 rebounds, and had 10 assists), who combined for 80 of Philly’s 130 points. Watford was a huge asset for them in this game he got his first start of the season and took full advantage of it. His ball handling ability gives them an extra ball handler who can manage defensive pressure without turning the ball over. When he finds his offensive rhythm like he did tonight he makes the Sixers an unstoppable force. He is continuing to recover from an early season hamstring injury, but he can be Philly’s starting power forward if he continues to play like he did tonight. His growing dynamic with Maxey and Embiid really showed itself tonight and if he continues to cash-in on the high-percentage shooting opportunities that both create, he might be one of the best offseason signings of the Embiid era.

This was the best game that Embiid has played so far this season, and he continues to look like himself and now that his minutes restriction has increased, he should look better throughout this season. He used a combination of his post and perimeter game to keep Philly in this game. With each passing game he is starting to look like his old self, and he made a couple of head-turning passes that created multiple high-percentage shots for his teammates. He is now averaging 25 minutes per night and seems to be getting closer to getting off that minute’s restriction.

The Sixers should take every opportunity to put Embiid on the floor so he can continue to grow his chemistry with Maxey, Watford, and the rest of his teammates. This trio really gives the Sixers the best chance to be a nightmare matchup for their opponents and with George returning very soon this line-up will change and give them various looks.

Now the Sixers will prepare to face the Detroit Pistons tomorrow night to finish of their third of 14 back-to-backs this season. Philly will need to stay connected to their defensive matchup, limit turnovers, and continue to use their ball movement to create high-percentage shooting opportunities like they did tonight. Detroit is a lengthy team so Philly will have to use their ball movement and not play iso ball to take advantage of holes in Detroit’s defensive scheme. Implementing these things into their game plan tomorrow night should put them in great position to win their seventh game of the season.