Philly Sports Jabronis
The Toronto Raptors (5-7) took advantage of big second and third quarters to beat the Sixers,108-98, Wednesday night at the Wells Fargo Center. DeMar DeRozan led the visitors with 33 points. Michael Carter-Williams returned from a foot injury for the Sixers (5-8), scoring 10 points while adding six assists and six rebounds in the loss, which dropped Philly out of first place in the Atlantic Division. The Sixers host the Bucks on Friday. For more on the Toronto game, see the Notebook below from Sixers.com.
By Andy Jasner
THE FACT: The Raptors won for only the second time in the last six meetings against the 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center.
THE LEAD: DeMar DeRozan scored 33 points while Rudy Gay had 18 points, eight assists and eight rebounds as the Toronto Raptors defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 108-98, Wednesday night at the Wells Fargo Center. Terrence Ross scored 17 points off the bench and Kyle Lowry added 13 points and 10 assists. The Raptors improved to 5-7 and actually moved into first place in the Atlantic Division, a half-game ahead of the Sixers.
Spencer Hawes was terrific for the Sixers with 28 points and 10 rebounds, Evan Turner added 13 points and 10 rebounds and James Anderson had 13 points. Michael Carter-Williams also had 10 points, six rebounds and six assists after missing the past four games with a left foot arch bruise. The Sixers have dropped four games in a row and fell to 5-8.
QUOTABLE: “Everyone touched the ball. Everyone got looks. It was a great all-around game for everyone.”
— Kyle Lowry
THE STAT: The Sixers have allowed 13 or more 3-pointers in five of the last seven games. Toronto was 14-for-29 from beyond the arc.
TURNING POINT: The Raptors led 93-77 after the third quarter and never let up. They kept the defensive pressure on and never allowed the Sixers to get back in the game. Toronto’s defense was exceptional in the final 12 minutes.
HOT: Hawes knocked down his first nine shots and finished 10-for-13. DeRozan hit 10 of his 19 shots.
NOT: Tony Wroten missed eight of his 11 shots, including all three of his 3-pointers. Carter-Williams was 2-for-10.
GOOD MOVE: Gay had two points at halftime and the Raptors made a conscious effort to get him involved in the third quarter. It paid off as Gay poured in 15 points in that quarter alone.
BAD MOVE: The Sixers continue to settle for too many 3-pointers. They’re not a particularly good shooting team and they wound up 7-for-20 from beyond the arc. The Sixers were effective going inside and got away from it in the third quarter.
INSIDE THE ARENA: The crowd never quite reached a fever pitch with the Raptors leading for much of the game. A number of local athletes attended the game — Jason Kelce, Colt Anderson and Kurt Coleman of the Philadelphia Eagles and Jake Voracek and Matt Read of the Flyers.
QUOTABLE II: “We’re not a finished product yet. We still have a lot of work to do.”
— Raptors coach Dwane Casey
NOTABLE: Sixers forward Thaddeus Young wasn’t with the team for personal reasons. There is no immediate timetable for his return. … The Sixers waived guard Darius Morris and center Kwame Brownand signed free agent guards Elliot Williams and Lorenzo Brown. … Raptors forward Quincy Acy sat out with a sore ankle. … Hawes was two points shy of tying his career high. He had 30 points for the Sacramento Kings on Jan. 1, 2010 against the Los Angeles Lakers. … DeRozan has 99 points over his last three games. … The Raptors had a season-high nine blocked shots. … The Sixers have given up 100 or points in 11 of the 13 games this season. … Sixers coach Brett Brown was whistled for a technical foul with 1:44 remaining.
QUOTABLE III: “I was a little anxious at first.”
— Michael Carter-Williams on returning to the lineup after missing the past four games
UP NEXT: For the Raptors, Friday vs. Washington, Tuesday vs. Brooklyn, Nov. 29 vs. Miami. For the Sixers, Friday vs. Milwaukee, Saturday at Indiana, Wednesday at Orlando.
