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The Toronto Raptors snagged an impressive win against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinals matchup, but the team's reserves struggled in the game.
While Kawhi Leonard (45 points, 11 rebounds) and Pascal Siakam (29 points, seven boards) carried the offensive load for the Raptors, their bench players weren't able to provide much help. The reserves combined for only a total of 10 points, and none of them were able to make a basket until Serge Ibaka's nine-foot jumper in the 1:57 mark of the third quarter.
Good thing the Raptors didn't have to worry about the Sixers' offense.
Philly shot just 39 percent from the floor in Game 1, and none of their four best players was able to reach 20 points. Joel Embiid led the team with 16 markers, but he struggled to score against the Raptors' bigs. Although Ben Simmons shot the ball well — finishing with 14 points on 7-8 shooting — he wasn't his usual, explosive self.
Embiid, Simmons and the rest of the Sixers won't struggle like this all series, so the Raptors will need to make sure that their reserves will be ready to step up and help the starters score.
Game 2 of the series will be on Monday at Scotiabank Arena again, where the Raptors will try to go up 2-0. The Sixers will look to even the series before it shifts to Philadelphia for Games 3 and 4.
