To keep Leonard, the Raptors know they must add to his impressive playoff numbers
Leonard is a free-agent-in-waiting, someone who will have a huge decision to make this summer. An abrupt second-round exit from this post-season probably won't enhance the Raptors' chances of convincing Leonard to stay with Toronto - so Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series on Sunday against Philadelphia, a matchup the 76ers lead 2-1, could have reverberations felt long after this season ends.
“He's playing unbelievable right now. But we're not giving him any help. Me - I'm not giving him any help. Got to help him.” And the Raptors, who finished the regular season with the NBA's second-best record despite giving Leonard 22 games off largely for rest and maintenance, are in trouble anyway - down in the series, and needing a win Sunday to avoid a 3-1 hole.
The 76ers are almost resigned to Leonard getting his big numbers. They're preferring to just stop everyone else, and it's working.
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