Sixers vs Raptors Game 5 Preview Notes

InsideHoops.com
May 7, 2019
3:45 p.m. ET

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SIXERS TEAM NOTES

The Philadelphia 76ers fell to the Toronto Raptors, 101-96, in Game 4 of the 2019 Eastern Conference Semifinals as the series is now tied at two games apiece. During the series, Philadelphia has held Toronto to 98.3 points per game, the fewest any team is averaging in the Conference Semifinals. The Raptors are the only team in the Conference Semifinals averaging fewer than 100.0 points per contest.

Ben Simmons put up a stat line of 10 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block in 38 minutes of play. Game 4 saw Simmons record three deflections, which brought his total for the 2019 Playoffs to 33, tied for the league lead with Portland’s Damian Lillard.

JJ Redick had 19 points, three rebounds and two assists in 35 minutes of play. He hit all three of his shots from the free-throw line, good for his 47th career playoff game with a perfect free-throw percentage. The 47 instances are the fourth-most among active players behind Dirk Nowitzki (59), Stephen Curry (56) and Tony Parker (51).

Jimmy Butler finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and one block in 40 minutes of play. The 29 points and 11 rebounds gave him his fourth career playoff double-double and second this postseason. He has scored at least 20 points in all four of his playoff double-doubles.

Tobias Harris recorded 16 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals in 41 minutes of play. The three steals tied his playoff career high, which he set earlier this postseason in Game 5 of the First Round against Brooklyn.

Joel Embiid scored 11 points, brought down eight rebounds, handed out a playoff career-high-tying seven assists, stole the ball twice and blocked two shots in 35 minutes of play. He finished as a game-high +17. During the Conference Semifinals, Embiid is a +55, which leads the league. The next closest player is Denver’s Nikola Jokic (+40).

RAPTORS TEAM NOTES

The Toronto Raptors continue an Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series by hosting the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 5 at Scotiabank Arena. The Raptors have been tied 2-2 in a best-of-seven series seven times and come away with the series win on four occasions. The latest occurred during a 2018 first-round series vs. Washington and 2017 first-round series vs. Milwaukee – both ended in six games. The Raptors are 8-4 overall in Game 5 and have won three straight.

Kawhi Leonard is averaging a playoff career-high 32.3 points through nine games. Leonard has improved his playoff scoring average each season his teams have reached the post-season. Leonard averaged 8.6 points in 14 games with San Antonio during the 2011-12 and has never looked back since. He scored a playoff career-high 45 points in Game 1 vs. Philadelphia. LEONARD PLAYOFF SCORING AVERAGES: 2011-12 (8.6), 2012-13 (13.5), 2013-14 (14.3), 2014-15 (20.3), 2015-16 (22.5), 2016-17 (27.7), 2018-19 (32.5).

Kawhi Leonard scored a game-high 39 points May 5 in Game 4 at Philadelphia. It was the most points scored by a Raptor in a road playoff game in franchise history. Leonard has scored 30+ points in 13 times in the playoffs and has a 10-3 record in these games. His six 30+ point games with Toronto is tied for second in franchise history with Kyle Lowry. DeMar DeRozan holds the team record scoring 30+ points in the playoffs 14 times.

TOP SINGLE-GAME PLAYOFF SCORING PERFORMANCES: 50 – Vince Carter (May 11, 2005 vs. Philadelphia); 45 – Kawhi Leonard (Apr. 27, 2019 vs. Philadelphia); 39 – Kawhi Leonard (May 5, 2019 at Philadelphia); 39 – Chris Bosh (Apr. 26, 2008 vs. Orlando); 39 – Vince Carter (May 18, 2001 vs. Philadelphia).

Philadelphia native Kyle Lowry leads the NBA in the playoffs with nine offensive charges drawn, 23 loose balls recovered and second with 26 deflections. He is averaging 16.6 points, 6.1 assists, 1.5 steals and shooting .387 (75-for-194) in 32 career games against the Sixers.

Toronto has held its opponents under .420 field goal shooting in eight of nine playoff games this year. The Raptors currently lead the NBA in the playoffs holding opponents to a .405 (302-746) field goal shooting percentage. Toronto has allowed 100 points only twice in the post-season – Game 1 vs. Orlando and Game 3 at Philadelphia.

Philadelphia native Kyle Lowry leads the NBA in the playoffs with nine offensive charges drawn, 24 loose balls recovered and third with 29 deflections. He finished Game 4 at Philadelphia with 14 points (6-13 FG, 2-6 3FG), and a team-high seven assists. Over the last three years, the Raptors are 17-10 when Lowry scores at least 14 points in a playoff game.

Marc Gasol has started each of the 68 postseason games he has played in his NBA career (59 for the Grizzlies from 2011 through 2017 and nine for the Raptors this year).

Pascal Siakam has shot .360 (18-for-50) from the field over the past three games, after he shooting .500 or better from the field in each of his six previous playoff games this year.