James Harden has been quite pedestrian for the Sixers throughout their first-round series against the Toronto Raptors. It was more of the same from the former MVP on Monday in Game 5 as Philly suffered their second consecutive loss in the series, 103-88.

After the game, Sixers head coach Doc Rivers admitted that his team has had a problem getting Harden involved in the offense. According to Rivers, Philly needs to give Harden more opportunities to be aggressive moving forward:

“We have to get James going downhill in some more actions that he likes and more comfortable,” said Sixers the Sixers coach, via Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “You know, I just keep saying with Tyrese, we just have to get the ball in his hands more. We just do. I said it all game. … He’s just not getting the ball in transition enough. And that’s on us.

“We have to do it.”

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In their Game 5 loss, Harden scored just 15 points on 4-of-11 shooting. The Sixers' 10-time All-Star dished out seven assists but he also committed five turnovers.

Rivers and the rest of the Sixers are hoping that Harden gets going sooner rather than later. Game 6 on Thursday is now a must-win for the Sixers as another loss will force a do-or-die Game 7 contest with the momentum firmly on Toronto's side.