After taking a dominant 3-0 lead to open the series, the Sixers have seen this begin to slip away. The Toronto Raptors have awoken after their slow start to the series and rediscovered their team identity. The Raptors have played a swarming defense, dominated the rebounds, and gotten out in transition. The Sixers have produced back-to-back lazy performances in which they did not put out the necessary effort to win.

 

It is clear this Toronto team has no intention of going away, so the Sixers must wake up. Philadelphia is the more talented team but has made sloppy mistakes that led to losses over the past two games. Game 6 will take place back in Toronto meaning the Sixers will be without their best perimeter defender, Matisse Thybulle. The tides have turned in the series and if the Raptors are able to force a Game 7 it will be looked at as a massive collapse for the Sixers. Expect Philadelphia to make some internal adjustments and be ready to play in Game 6.

76ers-Raptors Game 6 Predictions

Joel Embiid will score 35+ points

The torn ligament in Joel Embiid's thumb has been a major talking point throughout this series. The Sixers' superstar has been on another level this season, leading the NBA in scoring with 30.6 points per game. It appeared as if Embiid was prepared to dominate this postseason but an injury to the thumb on his shooting hand has led to some struggles.

The 7-footer has scored 31 points in Game 2 and 33 points in Game 3 but has been held to 21 or fewer points in the other three matchups. Embiid has become more comfortable on the perimeter throughout his career progression but must go back to being focused on dominating as a post scorer.

There is no player on the Raptors roster above 6'9 which is a massive advantage for Embiid. Thumb injury or not, Joel Embiid is still the biggest and strongest player on the court. Look for him to fight to establish deep post position and create some easy lay-ins around to rim. Embiid thrives off the critics and doubters, so expect him to put all the talks to rest with a terrific offensive performance in Game 6.

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The offense will look better without Matisse Thybulle

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After having some notable defensive struggles in Game 4, the Sixers were excited to have Matisse Thybulle rejoin the team back in Philadelphia. Thybulle is not fully vaccinated and is ineligible to play games in Toronto. The third-year guard started 50 of the 65 games he has been active for this season largely due to his defense. His near 7-foot wingspan can wreak havoc on opposing players.

Despite the effective defense he provides, the Sixers will be better off without him in Game 6. The Raptors defense paid zero attention to Thybulle in Game 5 and almost exclusively had that defender double Embiid. It was an excruciating offensive performance from Thybulle that included multiple air balls. The Washington product was limited to just 14 minutes of play and ended 1-6 from the field and 0-3 on three-point attempts. This statline is somewhat misleading as the sole basket Thybulle was awarded was actually tipped in by the Raptors.

Spacing is essential to the Sixers' offense and Thybulle's elementary offensive ability makes this difficult. Expect the Sixers to give Danny Green and Georges Niang extended time and for Thybulle to be excluded from the rotation for the remainder of the series.

James Harden secures a triple-double

The days of James Harden leading the team in scoring are likely in the past. It is clear the 32-year-old has lost a step and is unable to create separation offensively. This has become especially difficult against the lengthy and athletic Toronto defense.

While he may not be the offensive threat he once was, James Harden is still a very useful player. The Beard has played a key role in the Sixers' offense by creating looks for others. Harden has become the point guard the team needed and helped unlock Tyrese Maxey's scoring ability in the process. If he is unable to serve as a secondary scorer, James Harden must make his impact doing the other things.

Triple-doubles are nothing new to James Harden as he is 8th in NBA history in this category. The Raptors have been dominant on the boards so having Harden help out would benefit the team greatly. The veteran guard must adjust his play to his body as he is unable to rely on the shiftiness as he did in the past. Look for Harden to put together a well-rounded effort in Game 6 and positively impact the game in a way he has not been able to all series.