Toronto’s back is against the wall to even series with the Sixers
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Ryan Griffin: Philly already has the two game advantage on Toronto. I just think it’s really impossible to deal with and beat on some nights because people talk a lot about Kristaps Porzingis being a unicorn but Joel Embiid is right up there with him. He’s big, but he’s not just somebody that’s down on the post.
There was a play from the last game where he’s dancing basically on the sideline and it’s like this turnaround three, and then they zoom into these guys on the Raptors bench and their jaw drops, like what are we about to do with this guy?
A.J. Reilly: Psychological advantage, man. When that kind of stuff is happening, that’s not a good sign for your team. You understand that somebody like Embiid might be a unicorn and he might have that shot in his pocket but let’s wear a poker face.
Ryan Griffin: Sometimes you can’t help it, it’s like you’ve seen some of the shots that Kobe hit, and then you just see the guys on other teams, it’s preposterous. And sometimes if it’s that insane, you just can’t help it; I don’t know, it’s human nature.
A.J. Reilly: So here’s my thought. And tell me if I’m thinking the right way: in order for Toronto to make this any type of series, it’s an obvious statement, but if they’re going to get to six games, both games in Toronto have to be won. If they go back to Philadelphia, 3-1, they might as well sign the scorecard.
Ryan Griffin: I don’t know about that, I still just think Toronto’s tough, and I know they haven’t showed it in these two games, and I don’t know why I’m giving them so much more benefit of the doubt than I just gave the Nuggets who haven’t looked competitive in either of their games either. Championship pedigree, I guess.
A.J. Reilly: Championship pedigree, even though you hate cliches.
Toronto: Where the Rubber Meets the Road
Ryan Griffin: And I don’t know, it’s just tough to see the Raptors getting ran off the court like this, because all year, they’ve been a team that’s overachieved and maybe that’s the calling card, right there, it’s, “Oh they’re not that good in the first place.” This is where the rubber meets the road, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they won these next two games in Toronto.
Honestly, and I don’t think they’re a team that’s just gonna lay down like in game five, if they’re down 3-1.
A.J. Reilly: Yeah. I don’t see them laying down. I just think if you end up back in Philadelphia, 3-1, that’s going to be a very difficult game. Your back is against the wall. You cannot lose that game, but you’ve been in Philadelphia complaining about the refs already.
You’re not at home where you’re going to get the home cooking, as it is. So it’s just, it doesn’t line up in my opinion, scrappy or not scrappy, pride or no; pride doesn’t win your basketball games, and putting the ball in the hoop does.
Like you said the best player on that court plays for Philadelphia and you’ve got to think at the end of the day, he’s clearly going to be the difference in that series.
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