The Toronto Raptors head to Philadelphia trying to shake off a rough 98-93 loss to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night, and the fix starts with doing the little things better. Toronto has been searching for offensive rhythm, and against another Eastern Conference opponent, the margin for error is thin.
The first battle is the one inside. Philadelphia can create offense with dribble penetration and physical work around the basket, so Toronto has to hold its ground in the paint.
That means more than scoring near the rim. It means getting into proper defensive position, shutting down second chances and making the 76ers settle for tougher looks from the perimeter.
Jakob Poeltl and Collin Murray-Boyles loom as key pieces in that effort. Both can help Toronto protect the lane, cut off driving angles, X-out low men and clean up when perimeter defenders get beat.
On the other end, the Raptors can’t drift into passive offense. They need to keep attacking the basket, force paint touches and use that pressure to open up the floor and draw fouls.
RJ Barrett is another major piece of the puzzle, and his recent stretch has been a problem. Over his last three games, Barrett has shot just 36.2% from the field and 8.33% from three-point range, while posting a minus-47 plus-minus. Those numbers have been paired with shaky defense, which makes it harder for Toronto to keep him on the floor when he isn’t giving the team enough offensively.
For Barrett, the answer is not some overnight leap into elite shooting. Toronto needs him to play to his strengths: attack the rim, make faster decisions and create efficient secondary scoring.
The Raptors also need better defensive effort from him, because his offensive struggles become even more damaging when opponents can target him on the other end. A cleaner night from Barrett would go a long way toward stabilizing Toronto’s attack.
Toronto’s best version also shows up when the defense turns into offense. The roster has length, versatility and athleticism, and that gives the Raptors a chance to create turnovers, jump passing lanes and run before the other team gets set. Immanuel Quickley, Collin Murray-Boyles and Jamal Shead are among the players who can help spark that kind of pressure.
But transition chances don’t come without discipline. The Raptors have to finish possessions on the defensive glass, because giving Philadelphia extra rebounds would slow the game down and drag Toronto into more half-court possessions.
They also can’t afford sloppy turnovers that gift the 76ers easy chances in the open floor. If the Raptors win the turnover battle, rebound cleanly and push the pace, they can create easier offense without leaning so heavily on perimeter shooting.
There’s also a chance for Toronto’s younger players to keep carving out real roles. Allen Graves and Alijah Martin have an opportunity to show they can be more than occasional options in the rotation.
Their value doesn’t have to come from big scoring nights. Defensive energy, versatility, smart movement and steady execution all matter here.
That’s the lane Toronto needs from its young depth: effort without chaos, activity without breaking the structure. Against Philadelphia, Graves and Martin can help the Raptors with that balance while also giving the team a better read on its rotation.
If Toronto can control the paint, win the transition game, get Barrett moving in the right direction and receive dependable minutes from its younger players, it will give itself a real shot to leave Philadelphia with a win.
In Other News...
76ers Injury Trouble Just Opened A Door The Raptors Need
Scottie Barnes will miss a fourth straight game with a left groin strain, leaving the Raptors without one of their most important two-way players as they get ready to face the 76ers. Toronto has already felt the impact of Barnes absence on both ends of the floor, and with Kawhi Leonard also unavailable, the rotation is being pushed into a thinner, more uncertain shape than the team would prefer at this point.
Still, the matchup comes with a chance for Toronto to keep pressing forward against a Philadelphia group dealing with its own injury issues. LeBron James is out, Joel Embiid is questionable, and the Raptors will need more from the next wave of contributors, including Jamal Shead and Collin Murray-Boyles, to help cover the ground Barnes usually handles. For a team looking to stay afloat through the injuries, this is the kind of game where the margins matter. [Read more 🡒]
RJ Barrett Is Giving The Raptors A Tough Trade Deadline Decision
RJ Barretts recent stretch has only sharpened the questions around his place in Torontos long-term plans. As one of the Raptors primary scoring options, he has been asked to carry a heavy offensive load, but the results have been uneven, with his shooting and defensive impact both swinging from game to game. His outing against the Boston Celtics summed up the concern, as he finished with 12 points on 5-of-16 shooting while continuing to battle the kind of shot selection issues that can stall an offense.
With the trade deadline approaching, Barretts inconsistency is putting the Raptors in a difficult spot. Toronto has to weigh the value of his scoring upside against the reality that his fit has not yet looked settled, especially when his three-point shooting and defensive reliability are part of the conversation. For a team trying to clarify its direction, Barretts uneven play has turned into one of the more important decisions on the board. [Read more 🡒]
Raptors Face Another Brutal Test Without A Key Starter
The Raptors are heading into another difficult matchup shorthanded, with Scottie Barnes, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Kawhi Leonard all ruled out for their game against the 76ers. It is the kind of injury report that changes the feel of a night before the opening tip, especially for a Toronto group already trying to stay afloat through a stretch of absences.
Philadelphia has its own uncertainty, with LeBron James out and Joel Embiid listed as questionable for the 7:00 pm ET meeting. Even with the other side dealing with some missing names, Toronto still has to find enough creation and defensive resistance to survive a game that suddenly looks a lot more about depth than star power. [Read more 🡒]