3 observations after Sixers fall to Raptors in key NBA draft lottery odds game

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3 observations after Sixers fall to Raptors in key NBA draft lottery odds game originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The 2025 NBA draft lottery will be held in exactly two months.

As the Sixers and Raptors faced off Wednesday, it was logical to keep that night in mind.

With a 118-105 road loss, the Sixers fell to 22-43 this season and Toronto moved to 23-43. The Nets sit at 22-43 after losing Tuesday to the Cavs.

Finishing below the Raptors and Nets would not at all guarantee the Sixers keep their top-six protected first-round pick, but it would improve the odds.

Quentin Grimes again led the Sixers, posting 29 points. He’s racked up 89 over his last three games.

Jeff Dowtin Jr. recorded a career-high 20 points on 9-for-14 shooting.

Toronto had three 20-point scorers in A.J. Lawson (28), Jared Rhoden (25) and Orlando Robinson (25).

Both sides had a heap of players on the sidelines. The following Sixers were out:

Tyrese Maxey (lower back sprain and right finger sprain)

Paul George (left groin soreness)

Guerschon Yabusele (right knee soreness)

Kyle Lowry (right hip injury)

Joel Embiid (season-ending left knee injury)

Eric Gordon (season-ending right wrist surgery)

Jared McCain (season-ending left lateral meniscus surgery)

The Sixers will host the Pacers on Friday night. Here are observations on their loss to the Raptors:

Sixers’ offense flounders early

Grimes’ first jumper of the evening went in and out. He promptly drained the next one and continued to confidently find buckets for himself.

Overall, each team had frigid shooting starts. That wasn’t a shocker; the Sixers entered the night ranked 24th in the NBA in three-point percentage and the Raptors ranked 23rd.

Toronto missed its first six long-range attempts. The Sixers began 4 for 16 from the floor and 2 for 13 from beyond the arc. Kelly Oubre Jr. also missed two straight free throws in the first quarter.

On top of their shooting struggles, the Sixers committed a few sloppy, costly turnovers. Grimes’ fourth giveaway led to an easy Lawson layup in the second quarter that extended Toronto’s lead to 41-29. Lawson’s hoop gave the Raptors a 12-2 advantage in…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/3-observations-sixers-fall-raptors-220629094.html

Author : NBC Sports Philadelphia

Publish date : 2025-03-12 22:06:00

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