Sixers Win 1st Quarter, but Eventually Fall to Raptors

By Doug Ammon, Sixers.com

At 28-15, the Raptors have been one of the most consistent teams in the Eastern Conference this season. But on Friday night, the 8-25 Sixers played them to a draw through the first 47 minutes and 50 seconds of the game. But Philadelphia failed to complete the upset win, falling to the Raptors 91-86.

The Sixers got the home crowd rocking early, as the squad burst out of the gates to a 16-0 lead to start the game. Philadelphia ended the first quarter up 30-22, but after a rough second quarter, they entered halftime down 48-41. In the second half, hardnosed defense allowed the Sixers to stay in the game.

The team dove to the floor for loose balls and was active all over the floor, closing out on shooters and holding the Raptors to just 6-for-24 (25.0%) from behind the arc. The Raptors’ 91 points on the evening tied their season low.

“I thought we played our hearts out in the second half,” said head coach Brett Brown. “To hold a team that is fifth in scoring to whatever they ended up with, 91 points. I’m so proud of our guys defensive effort in the second half.”

Toronto was led by Philadelphia native Kyle Lowry, who was named an All-Star starter just 24 hours ago. He finished with a game-high 21 points, 19 of which came in the second half.

For Philadelphia, it was Robert Covington who led the way. The second-year swingman has scored at least 10 points in four of his last five games and finished Friday’s game with 18 points and six rebounds.

Nerlens Noel missed Wednesday’s with an upper respiratory infection but didn’t miss a beat in his return to action against the Raptors. He finished with 12 points (5/12 FG) and a career-high 14 rebounds, notching his sixth double-double of the season. Five of his rebounds came on the offensive end.

Point guard Michael Carter-Williams finished one assist shy of a double-double of his own, as he notched 12 points (4/8 FG), nine assists, seven rebounds, and four steals.

“[In] film and practice, we sat and talked with the team and made it a focal point that we need to come out and move the ball a little bit more and create for each other and help each other get some open shots,” Carter-Williams said after the game.”

Friday’s contest got off to a disappointing start even before tip-off, as news broke that third-year guard Tony Wroten will require surgery on his partially torn right ACL. There is no timetable for his return.

Inside the Numbers: 83.3%

The Sixers shot 83.3% from the free throw line on Friday night, which was a big reason why the game was close late. Robert Covington (4/4), Henry Sims (3/3), and Nerlens Noel (2/2) were all perfect from the line, while Michael Carter-Williams only missed one of his four attempts. On the season, the Sixers are shooting 67.9% from the stripe.