The Toronto Raptors' 2022 playoff campaign started off slow, as they dropped Game 1 against the Philadelphia 76ers. It was a bad loss for a mostly young team, as they looked outmatched against the behemoth that was Joel Embiid. However, coach Nick Nurse believes that his team would have a better chance if they actually got good calls.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Nick Nurse talked about how the referees treated Joel Embiid in the game. The Raptors coach implied that his team wasn't given any favors by the officials when it comes to the Sixers star. Per Blake Murphy:

“Nick Nurse not happy with the whistle on Embiid. “If we're [Raptors] legal defensively, we've gotta have a call, or we don't have a chance. Nobody can guard that guy if they're gonna let him run you over.” Points out beating him to spots & wild elbows.”

One of the biggest complaints against this Sixers squad by opposing fans is their reliance on drawing fouls and free-throws. Raptors fans experienced that first-hand in Game 1, as Embiid and James Harden combined for 18 free-throws. That nearly matched the visiting team's total free-throw attempts at 23.

Nurse is pleading to the officials to not let the stars get away with their antics so easily. The Raptors are already light on bodies that they can throw against Embiid, and Nurse doesn't want to go to the end of his bench to find an answer for the Sixers star. Scottie Barnes going down today will only worsen that problem for Toronto moving forward.