The Sixers failed to contain the likes of Kawhi Leonard and Pascal Siakam on Saturday, two major reasons why the team lost Game 1 at Scotiabank Arena, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes.
Leonard and Siakam combined to score 74 points on 38 shots, shooting 28-of-38 from the floor and 6-of-11 from three-point range. Joel Embiid, who shot just 5-of-18, said:
“Two really good players. Their two best players showed up. I didn’t tonight and I have to do a better job.
“I have a lot of respect for those guys. They showed up. … They did a good. Next time maybe just like they are doing to me and double-teaming me. Throw some double-teams and have a better game plan.”
Philadelphia wound up losing the game 108-95, holding just a 39 percent shooting mark with 14 turnovers. They can still steal home-court advantage by bouncing back for Game 2 on Monday, though the team recognizes how important is to slow down the Raptors’ top two offensive threats.
Besides Leonard and Siakam, Toronto was supported by Kyle Lowry (nine points, eight assists), Marc Gasol (eight points with tremendous defense) and Serge Ibaka (seven points, six rebounds off the bench) to help seal the Game 1 victory.
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