The Philadelphia 76ers are now sweating a little bit in their first-round NBA playoff series against the Toronto Raptors. After opening up a 3-0 lead, the Raptors have won two in a row as the series is now heading back to Toronto for Game 6.
Things couldn’t be going much worse for the 76ers, who haven’t brought the necessary energy and effort in the last two games. The Raptors played with a lot of pride to avoid getting swept and then came with another level of effort in Game 5 with starting point guard Fred VanVleet sidelined because of injury.
Toronto hasn’t had their full lineup since Game 1, as Scottie Barnes missed multiple games and Gary Trent Jr. was hampered earlier in the series, in addition to VanVleet now. But, that hasn’t stopped them, as they are a hungry, scrappy team that won’t go away easily.
Philadelphia will now look to put away a Raptors team that is playing with zero pressure. They aren’t the team halfway to becoming the first in NBA history to blow a 3-0 series lead. That is the pressure the 76ers are facing.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 76ers’ Joel Embiid Doesn’t Hold Back About James Harden Before Game 6
If they want to advance in this series and make any noise in the postseason, they need James Harden to step up. He has looked sluggish at times in the postseason and his shot on offense is again absent, as he is making only 37.3 percent overall from the field.
Joel Embiid urged him following the Game 5 loss that he needs to shoot more. He took only 11 shots in that game and the Philadelphia 76ers lost in blowout fashion 103-88 at home. If this is something that continues, NBA Insider Zach Lowe believes James Harden’s future in Philadelphia will change drastically.
Harden struggled throughout the regular season and that has carried into the playoffs. When Daryl Morey acquired him he thought he was getting that second star to pair with Embiid and make a deep run into the playoffs.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 76ers’ Joel Embiid Doesn’t Hold Back About James Harden Before Game 6
Instead, James Harden has been a below-average player, failing to have that MVP impact the organization was hoping for. With Joel Embiid battling through a thumb injury on his right hand, they need Harden more than ever to step up his game.
