Embiid hits dagger in OT, Sixers take 3-0 series lead over Raptors

Toronto –

Joel Embiid scored a three-pointer from the dagger with 0.8 seconds remaining in overtime to lift Philadelphia 76ers to a 104-101 victory over Toronto Raptors. It was their first-round playoff series lead of 3-0.

Embiid had 33 points and 13 rebounds to spoil the Raptors playoff action in Toronto after three years.

OG Anunoby scored 26 points for the Raptors who lead by as much as 17 points. Gary Trent Jr. scored 24 points, a playoff record, despite being ill the week before.

Precious Achiuwa scored 20 points. Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam both had off nights. The Raptors had just 12 points each for their game, missing Scottie Barnes, the NBA rookie of year.

The Raptors quickly took a 17-point lead and looked like they were the team that had won 14 of the 18 remaining games. They shot 52.4% in the first half, and Philly was forced to make 15 turnovers.

The Raptors shot 1-for-7 from the behind the arc in the third quarter. With 5.5 seconds remaining, Embiid made a free throw and the Sixers were within 75-74.

In a close fourth quarter, neither team led by more that three points. VanVleet found Anunoby at the corner for a long ball and Achiuwa scored on an assist for a five point cushion with just two minutes remaining.

Harden’s 49.7 second free throw tied the game. Harden, the former NBA MVP, was cheered off by the crowd 20 seconds later.

Achiuwa missed 27.2 seconds of the final period, but Toronto held strong on the defensive end to force an additional period.

Anunoby scored a clutch basket in the extra period. With 2:58 left, the shot clock sounded to give Philly a one-point advantage. But Embiid responded to get Philly back up. Embiid fouled Anunoby at 26.2 seconds remaining, scoring on one of two free throws. Sixers coach Doc Rivers was furious at the official.

Green crossed the ball in 2.6 seconds and Embiid scored the winning goal to send Raptors fans home devastated.

The Raptors need reinforcements for Game 4. Barnes, who broke his left ankle in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, will play Saturday. The finalist in rookie of the Year wasn’t wearing a boot, but he was still cheering on for most of the game.

Since Game 5 in the 2019 NBA Finals, the Raptors hadn’t been to Toronto for a playoff game. It was a one-point loss against Golden State.

COVID-19 made the 2020 season finish at Disneyworld’s NBA bubble. The Raptors were also exiled last season in Tampa, Fla. due to border restrictions. They finished 12th last year after a COVID epidemic in March. This is the only time they have missed the playoffs in nine years.

The 76ers cruised to wins in Games 1 & 2, with scores of 131-11 & 112-97.

The Raptors led by 10 points early on Wednesday. Sixers were forced to make nine turnovers in just the first quarter. Philadelphia only turned the ball over four times during Game 1.

Anunoby scored 10 points during the frame, and his three-pointer at 31 seconds was enough to send the Raptors into the second half up 29-19.

Toronto opened the second half with a 9-2 run that saw them up 17 points. However, the Sixers fought back and Harden’s drive layup with 1:40 left reduced the gap to six points.

There were some heated moments in the quarter. VanVleet was whistled as a foul and then a technical for angrily disputing the call after Embiid had fallen out of bounds like a gust of wind.

Green took up a technical to argue a call. It took Harden a few two-handed chest shoves to get Green to move toward Philadelphia’s bench.

If necessary, Game 5 would be played in Philadelphia on Monday.

This report was published by The Canadian Press on April 20, 2022.