Joel Embiid scored a dagger three-pointer with 0.8 seconds left in overtime to lift the Philadelphia 76ers to a 104-101 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, taking a 3-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.
Embiid finished with 33 points and 13 rebounds, spoiling the first Raptors playoff action in Toronto in three years.
The Raptors raced out to an early 17-point lead, finally looking like the team that won 14 of 18 games down the stretch. They shot 52.4 per cent in the first half and pestered Philly into 15 turnovers. Harden's free throw with 49.7 seconds left tied the game. The former NBA MVP fouled out of the game 20 seconds later, cheered off the floor by the raucous crowd.
Green inbounded the ball with 2.6 seconds left and Embiid hit the winner to send Raptors fans home heartbroken. COVID-19 forced the 2020 season to finish in the NBA bubble at Disneyworld, and the Raptors were exiled in Tampa, Fla., last season due to border restrictions. A COVID outbreak in March of last season saw them somersault down the standings to finish 12th, the only year they've missed the playoffs in the past nine seasons.The Raptors jumped out to an early 10-point lead on Wednesday, forcing the Sixers to commit nine turnovers in the first quarter alone.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Embiid to Raptors coach Nick Nurse: Stop complaining about foul callsAs time trickled down in the fourth quarter of Game 2 between the Toronto Raptors and the Philadelphia 76ers, Nick Nurse and Joel Embiid were seen having a chat about foul calls on the sideline.
Read more »
Embiid to Raptors coach Nick Nurse: Stop complaining about foul callsAs time trickled down in the fourth quarter of Game 2 between the Toronto Raptors and the Philadelphia 76ers, Nick Nurse and Joel Embiid were seen having a chat about foul calls on the sideline.
Read more »
Raptors rookie Scottie Barnes out for Game 3, Saturday return possibleRaptors rookie Scottie Barnes could be close to a return, but it won't be for Game 3 of Toronto's series with Philadelphia.
Read more »
Opinion | Their series with the Sixers might look bleak, but the Raptors can look back at recent playoff history for inspirationDespite the Sixers series looking bleak, the Raptors can look back at recent playoff history for inspiration. A series doesn’t truly tilt until someone loses a home game. Opinion by dfeschuk
Read more »