SIxers Up 2-0 On Raptors | Game 2 Reaction

you can catch us there. If you join late, you can catch us there. We're looking forward to getting into your questions, your comments, your thoughts about the seventy sixers second win in as many opportunities to open up their Eastern Conference quarterfinal matchup with the Toronto Raptors. Matt Murphy and Devon Gibbons are with me this morning. Guys, good

more once again, what's up, Miss Rosen? What's up? Devon givens one twelve ninety seven win for the seventy Sixers over the Raptors to go up two oho in this first round Eastern Conference playoff series, and Devon Toronto actually came out got off to an eleven two start and the Sixers were able to weather that and then take control. What did you make about how they how they did just that and turned the way the game was going around early on A good morning to you both and

good morning to everyone out there. Yes, that eight o start in the eleven two and at the end of one the Raptors were still up by a point, and then all of a sudden just turning things around defensively in the second third quarters where they only gave up thirty eight points between two combined. So I thought it was really impressive with how they did. It was a

little different than what we saw in Game one. So they just gave us a different formula of how to win, showing us that they can win in different ways, in different styles of how they needed to do it. So not to panic in the moment because of how Toronto got off to their good start and as you said, weathering that storm. I was really impressed Toronto pulled the first punch last night, and you could expect them to do just that after getting, for lack of better term,

rocked in game one. This is a team that's been physical, that's played tough all season, long, so the Sixers probably expected that physicality early. Tyrese Maxie said last night that he only expects things to continue getting more physical as the series goes along. But Doc Rivers said a post game I agreed with coach to see the Sixers rally and come up to the challenge, be just as physical rise to the occasion. I was really enthused by that opening, Devon,

and you said it too. So let's go ahead and dive into the box score. That's how we like to open up these conversations. As I run through key stats from last night, this is another opportunity to tweet at us or send us dms about what you think. If someone stands out to you that you're worried we're not going to talk about. Make sure that you get those questions in now. So, without further Ado, seventy Sixers Eastern Conference First Round Series, Game two, Sixers take home a

one twelve ninety seven victory led by Joelmbead. Joelmbad Finish finished with a thirty one point eleven remound double double. He shot nine for sixteen from the field, twelve for fourteen from the free throw line. Tyrese Maxie another shining performance, and let's say it up front, one rebound and two assists, shy of his first career triple double. Unbelievable stuff from Tyrese Maxie early in this series. Twenty three points, nine rebounds, eight assists, a steal, and a block. He finished at

plus twenty two. Tyrese extremely efficient from the floor, eight for eleven from the field. His only three misses came as he went three for six from three point land. That's still showing. That three point average from tyres Maxie that just continues to rise and stay as good as it's been in the second half of the season. Tyrese also four for four from the free throw line. Tobias Harris a twenty point, ten rebound double double plus an

assist and three blocks. More on Tobias's defense later in the chat, but eleven for seven for eleven from the field, three for three from deep, three for four from the line. Four to Bias James Harden fourteen points, six rebounds, six assists, three steals, two blocks, another big defensive performance in that starting lineup. Danny Green perhaps the play of the night, but it went into his eleven points, three assists, one steal, and two blocks. Yes, we will get to that dunk

in just a moment. Bench production in George Niangamatistible each contribute five points, Shake Milton contributes three. B Ball Paul came off the bench and supported Joel Embiid for the second straight game. It was big time guys. The team shot fifty two point two percent overall, forty six point seven percent from deep, eighty six point seven percent from the free throw line. Devon, I'll start with you. Who

stands out among the group. Tobias Harris for me, not only offensively again clearing the twenty point mark, but as he's really starting to find his way and we've talked about it, he was really efficient seven for eleven last night and perfect from beyond three for three. But it was also Lauren, as you mentioned the defense that he's been playing these last two games. That has really been something that I didn't expect. Not that he doesn't give his effort on that end of the floor, it's just

that how good he has been there. You're not gonna stop Pascal Siakam or Ogna Nobi, who've had some decent games in these first two series. But it's just knowing that you can also use that extra help on the wing. In any NBA game, he has been one that has stood out with that performance on the other end of

the floor more so than his offense. So just seeing him a little more comfortable, as he has talked about openly now being on the floor with James Harden and his teammates, and that is also carried over to the other end of the floor with his defensive performance. Yeah, alongside Harris, I'm going to point to on the individual side, Joel Embiid with the thirty one and eleven game, more particularly the nineteen points in the first quarter, really strong

start to the game. Frambid obviously got to the line a ton in the game and especially during that quarter. Tobias was a great pick by Devon from a team perspective.

Just wanted to highlight fast break points. It's something that towards the end of a recent show, Devon pointed out maybe the preview of the series, or perhaps after Game one, but the idea that Toronto is known to rack up a lot of fast break points, while the Sixers have kind of turned that around in this series and they won that category twenty two ten in Game two, and through two games they have a fifty one twenty advantage

in fast break points. As we shift into questions and comments from the listeners, I want to start with a comment that we can just maybe expand upon. Winona said, Danny and the dunk fire emoji times four four fire emojis Danny and the dunk. So the Danny Green dunk. Maybe it doesn't show up in the box score other than as two points. But towards the end of the game, Danny Green got up, threw it down, and it was a huge talking point amongst his teammates after the game.

Also the celebration on the court. It was so much fun to watch. Everybody was so excited for him, and then it was the story of the night basically. So, Lauren, what what were some of your favorite things that people said about it, whether it was Danny, a teammate, or Doc Rivers after Yeah, the vibes had never been higher than they were in that exact moment. And Remy, who listens from France, thank you for for listening. Remy also asked, could you talk about that DG dunk and the team's reactions.

It was unbelievable, Matt, you said it. He threw it down off that Tyrese Maxie assist and Danny and Tyrese both postgame talked about the fact that there was a similar play when the guys were in Toronto a couple of weeks back, where Tyrese passed up ahead to Danny, Danny missed a layup and Tyrese not thrilled to Danny also not thrilled in that play in that moment, but tonight or last night, rather, Danny knew what he had to do. He threw it down. The reactions were priceless.

My favorite probably came from Tobias Harris after his twenty point, ten assist, ten rebound, rather double double. Tobias said he didn't think that Danny was going to be able to dunk like that. Tobias was out in the corner and he thought Danny was going to kick to him for the shot. Tobias said he watched Danny go up and he was like, oh no, and then it went just ye.

He said that was tough. Though complimenting Danny postgame, Tyrese similar thoughts, Joel Embiide similar thoughts, Doc Rivers similar thoughts. They all talked about what a big deal it was to see Danny be able to do that, and that, of course should not disparage where Danny is. He's been wonderful for this team in these playoffs thus far. We just haven't really seen him dunk like that, and so it's nice to know whether you were surprised or not

that he could. I think Danny didn't love how surprised everybody was to see him do exactly that. He of course a prideful and powerful NBA player who's won three rings, so he didn't love all of the shock value that that dunk brought. But maybe if he keeps doing it, people won't be surprised anymore. I also loved the way that George Niang ran to him immediately to make sure his knees were okay right after the dunk. Again, Danny probably didn't love that either, but the crowd did, the

team did. It was awesome to see him raise the bar, raise the energy, raise the intensity that way after the Sixers had started to create separation when the Raptors came back late in that second half. That was a truly memorable moment, maybe one of my most memorable of the year, and I'm glad it stood out to so many people. Yeah,

I've got to be honest. When he went up there and attempted the dunk, I was a show that it cleared the rim if Siakam had blocked it or what, just because of the lack of dunks that we've seen from Danny Green since he's been here. But it was a great play. It just basically capped off the night where the crowd was once again so great in the building into every play, even from the start where the Sixers got down, but once they turned it up and their defense just took over the game and the offensive

production went along with it. It was a really good moment for Danny Green, the team, the fans as well to see that happen. So it was pretty cool to watch that. Hey it's Joe Conklin joined me for Conklin's Comedy Night in Parks Casino, the number one casino went

Pennsylvania and the official local casino partner. If you are Philadelphia seventy Sixers, tune into seventy Sixers games for special Parks Casino offers for fans, watch all the action all the big screens in the Liberty Belt, gascro Pop or the Beer Garden and come seeing me live with comedians from all across the country in three six se a Markscasino Visit Markscasino dot com for tickets lust it was awesome. I'm going to dive into some more of our questions

lots about Tyrese. Maxie Aaron said the Tires Maxi three after the loose ball midway through the fourth to put an end to the Raptors run was my favorite moment of the game. He's become so clutch, no doubt about it.

We saw Tyrese excel in Game one, posting that playoff career high thirty eight points, one point shy of his most points scored ever in an NBA game, and then to come back in Game two when no doubt Toronto had to scheme for Tyrese, prepare for Tyrese in ways that they didn't in Game one, and still almost get

that first career triple double. Tires has been nothing but a joy, and watching him hit that shot reminded me of a time earlier in the season when he talked about training with his dad in high school and going into Jim's in Texas early in the morning when nobody was there, and something that his dad said that stuck with him was that when you put in work in the dark, shows up in the light in front of thousands, And that was really really what I thought of when

the Sixers were under pressure and Tyrese's out there with all stars with MVPs and he still has the confidence and the skill to take and make a massive shot. Matt Murphy, what stood out to you most about watching

Tyrese last night? Two things I noted were postgame. In the postgame materials from the seventy six Ers pr staff, one of the ways that they referenced Tyrese Maxie was in his second career Playoffs start, and I know it's only a second season, but it was still a little bit weird to see in a good way because it just shows you how poised he is for his age. And it's his second start of the series and second start of his career at this level in this type

of game, and he's ready. And it always seems like Tyrese Maxie is ready to make that shot and the three that was referenced make the shot that the team needs when they needed. And for as much as we've been talking recently about his increased three point percentage from college to his rookie year to now, how it has skyrocketed this year. He makes big ones and it seems like they're when the team needs it most, and he pulled up with confidence, so he can make them in

a lot of different ways. And I have another question from someone that I'm going to pose to Devon here that is about the first half, in my opinion, and how they were able to overcome a Toronto energetic start from Toronto, I should say, and then in the second

quarter playing without MBID. But before I go to that, Devon, what did you think about Maxie how he built off game one and got it going as Game two moved along well on that particular play that you both bring up, what was important for me is that out was number one. I thought to Buys, Harris felt like Maxie was going to pick it up, and then Maxie felt like Tobias

Harris was going to pick it up. And I thought Harris, really, just because of Maxie speed, was going to allow him to do so and get into the open floor and try to make something happen. But it was also the important part of the game, not that the Raptors were actually going to come back, and when we don't know, and that's because he snapped the fifteen old run and that was important right there. He had the confidence to just pull up from where he did with no one

there to rebound. But once again the Raptors won a fifteen old run, So that was an important bucket overall for the flow of the game in general. But I thought that he was good again, knowing that he was going to be on the scattering report, he was going to be high on that whiteboard of how to stop

pregame Tyrese Maxie. And for me, it was really the adjustment of the second quarter, more so after things got going in the first where he was on ball instead of being off of the ball, where James Harden was playing all the ball a little bit and allowing Maxie because he didn't really get going early. So taking him and putting them ball in his hands and letting him just simply go to work against the defense, that's what turned it around for me, for Maxie being able to

do it that way. So I thought it was a really good adjustment from Dac Rivers and the coaching staff and the players as well, James Harden specifically wanting to Havers Maxie to do exactly what he did, which will score the basketball after taking over the reins there. This leads nicely into the question I was referencing from a listener because he brought up hard him there at the end, Devon,

when we're talking about Maxie. So I'm going to come back to you, Teddy says, or asks, Actually, I guess says not a question, but can you please shed light on the fact that it's been two games that we've been doing well during non embiid minutes, meaning the Sixers. So what do you think about the second quarter run and any other minutes in the game where the Sixers were able to have him beat on the bench and play well. In Game two, in particular, Paul read again

got some minutes, brought some energy. But the way that Maxie and Harden played off each other Devon was brought up by Doc Rivers post games. So what do you think about Teddy's thoughts there? Sure? Yeah, so the Maxi part, obviously, I just laid that part out. But for Harden, I just think even despite his numbers, and his numbers don't really stand well, didn't stand out at least last night. A little more so for Game one, he seems to have a real good control of the offense and what

he has to do against that Raptors defense. So when you have a veteran point guard who's been in a lot of these different spots and has seen a lot of different types of defenses, like James Harden, has not much of a surprise, and knowing that he can lean on Tyrese Maxi and use that speed as a weapon, and knowing that Maxie needed to turn it up a

little bit more. That's what it was for me with those nine and B minutes, where James Harden just simply had a good feel for what was going on, and then you play off of what Maxie needs to do offensively and can do offensively to help spark things and turn it around. So, yeah, they've had some really good

nine and B minutes. Another good showing from Paul Reid and his time out there, whether it was trying to guard Pascal Siakam a little bit defensively and being a positive defender, a little bit plus defender if you will, and just doing everything else that needs to be done and not hunting any shots. So I thought that they did a really good job with those nine and B minutes and they're gonna have to carry that on the road and see if they can do that fed off

the crowd a little bit. Six has had the momentum after changing the course of the game after the first quarter. So that's for me what stands out Harden's control of the offense and understanding what the defense is giving him and trusting Tyrese Maxie as well as its running me Like this question from Corey, Guys, what's the team aka Devon, Matt and you keys to the game for a win Wednesday in Toronto? It feels not dissimilar from what the Keys were at least in my opinion after game one

when you win and the Sixers. Of course the margin of victory not as steep in game two, but they did control the game from start to finish the way that they did in game one. You gotta just stay sharp, keep that intensity. I loved watching the Sixers match the intensity of the Raptors early in game two because that, of course, it can always be a way that a

series shifts. Danny Green said after Game one that a series doesn't really start until you steal one on the road and talked about how much harder it is to win on the road in the playoffs. The Sixers did exactly what they set out to do in games one and two, but the real work starts here. It's hard to hone in on a specific key just because of how well the Sixers have executed thus far. But that being said, the Sixers, of course will be compensating for

not having Matisse Thybal with them. Look for more Danny Green intensity on defense, look for more opportunity, perhaps from the shake Milton's and for concorcmuses of the world. George Niang could figure two play heavier minutes. George got into a little bit of foul trouble in game two, ended up only playing nine minutes, but still shooting well in those nine minutes of play. So for me, it's all

about intensity and bench play in game three. And I don't know if you need to look that much farther, but I know that Matt and Devon can. So Matt, Devon, what are your thoughts keys to game three? Well, these are some of the things that Corey I'm seeing from Corey in a tweet about potential keys when the rebounding battle, seventy six Ers bring the same energy. I'm sorry if you already if I'm repeating these, but ten plus dimes from Harden, Tobias has a similar performance to Game two.

Question mark for me, I'm going to echo what Joel Embiid said in his walk off interview post game, and that was about cleaning up some turnovers. So the lack of turnovers or the way they were able to limit at themselves to three four turnovers in the first game and then that number going up to sixteen in which the Raptors scored seventeen points. I'm going to look at

that because and Bead had four, Harden had five. I think playing a cleaner game than Game two, not expecting to be as clean as game one, but maybe finding a little bit more of a balance in your favor, especially in a road environment, would be my key to the game for game three. One. You have to protect the basketball. We saw what that could do for you in Game one. Got a little sloppy at times in game two last night, Lauren, I'll agree with you where

I don't think you changed much. They haven't yet to figure you out with what you've done, and there's no need to do so. So make them conform to what you're doing. They've tried everything so far, and they've the physicality they've tried to bring that the chippiness which I liked, and to see how the seventy six has responded to that chippiness while only getting one double technical between and beat and and and Nobi, that was it, And I

don't know what other answers they have now. It is going to be tough on the road in Toronto has not been a great place for the seventy Sixers in the past, so we'll see how it goes. But I wouldn't change much of anything. The game plan is what the game plan is. And for the players who do need to step up in the absence of Matisse Stibel, they know it's a big spot for them as well. They know what they can do. They know it a Game three win could mean for the series overall. So

don't change anything. Be exactly who you have been, be who you are, and go up there and get the win. It's a tough environment. The Raptors did get three out of four in the regular season. They got the Sixers a couple of weeks ago, but the Sixers were not playing the way that they've played in Games one and two. A couple weeks back, so really exciting start for the seventy six. Can't really write it out better than what

they've been able to do so far. Also probably worth noting that because of how physical last night was and Tyrese Maxie anticipates it being even more physical, sixers could be a little dinged up. But that being said, the guy's postgame last night said there was nothing to worry about, looking forward to seeing the way that they rise to the occasion, continue to rise to the occasion and hopefully make this a little bit of a quicker series. Matt Devon, I'm not sure what you guys have in your dms,

but anything we want to grab before we go. Yeah, I think we're wrapping a little bit earlier than a normal one today just for scheduling reasons. But I saw a tweet come through from Amber asking about the atmosphere after the Danny dunk, and I know we touched on that at a little bit at the beginning. But the line that Amber said, quote the place has to be one of the greatest places to watch sports in the

world with the heart eye emogs. So I throw that to you, Lauren for some of your favorite highlights from the crowd maybe through the first two games of this series, because they were they were a big factor. They were into it through the first couple games of this one. Well, you gotta love the showmanship from guys like Joel Embiid, who you've seen it from before. Of course, he's emoting a little bit more than we've seen him emote in

a while over the first two games. But Tyrese Maxie also has become, of course beloved by the crowd, but he loves the crowd equally, so really cool to see Tyrese embrace them in return, James Harden getting involved in the crowd, and then the crowd embracing all of them right back. We've heard Beball, Paul Chance, We've heard Maxie Chance, We've heard many many MVP chants as the time has gone along. It's a really really special place to watch basketball.

I hope those that listen are able to attend one of these games in person, and if you are international, I also hope that you'll be able to attend one of these games in person at some point. Matt Devon someone we haven't talked about enough on this space, and I think we can wrap it with him, Joel Embiid, I want to leave it out for you guys. Obviously MVP voting has closed and that fate is sealed, but Joel clearly playing with a chip on his shoulder as he always does, he feels he has a lot to

prove in this playoff run. Devan, I'll start with you what has impressed you most about what you've seen from Joe L Embiid in games one and two, playing through all the all the attention that he's getting on the offensive end, where you know that the double and triple teams are going to come his way and he knows that and he's handling it very well. Despite the turnovers

last night. Yeah, I thought I thought that he has done a really good job in dealing with that, still making his free throws and playing some solid defense and taking on the challenge of whoever is in front of him if a switch happens. And also the communication seeing him talk to his teammates are quite a bit, specifically during the dead ball timeouts and how things need to be.

So we're used to seeing the points that he puts up, but it's the other things that I'm also watching to see how he is maneuvering through all of those things as the game progresses, and he continues to do so, and they're gonna need it in a big way on a road in that tough environment that you mentioned, and you know that the defense is still going to be there, depending on how many injuries they have or don't have who's available to have those players defend him, They're going

to need another solid or if not great performance MVP like if you will, on the road. So very impressed with Embiid and playing through it when he seems like he's a little banged up, whether it's the knee or something else, as he's being hit quite a bit. In my opinion, he's played well in these first two games.

Savon with the good, the great analysis as always. The thirty point ten rebound game of mbiad's playoff career, becoming the third seventy six er in team history with at least ten such games, joining Hall of famers Wilt Chamberlain and Dolph Shays. My closing thought about Embiid and Game two is from Don Staley on her Twitter account. Ladies and gentlemen, it's your at MBA MVP at Joel Embiid and it's a photo of them in the locker room

after the game. It was cool to have Don Staley ring the bell and then some of the photos with some of the players after the game capped off a good night for the Sixers. In Game two, up two O in the series. Gotta get some commotion for that d or jacket. I don't know if it was a raincoat or a jacket or what, but Don Staley always makes a statement and I never get star struck at games. I got a little star struck when she rang the bell.

So North Philly's very own. Really cool to see her there and to see her interacting with the guys post game.

So as we look ahead to seventy, Sixers will play Game three in Toronto tomorrow night, Matt Devona and I will hope to be back with you on Thursday morning for a post Sixers win Twitter space, but either way we'll be back with you before Game four, which comes on Saturday, a day game Game four, also in Toronto, Sixers might not have to bring the series back home, but should they have to, Game five, opportunity next week

in South Philadelphia. As always, these post Sixers win Twitter spaces presented by Bett parks are going to be available on the seventy Sixers Insiders podcast Feed, so if you joined us late, please feel free to check us out there. Even if you didn't join us late, Matt Murphy has some recent interviews up on that feed that have been really awesome with some of your favorite seventy sixers, so make sure you're following seventy six Ers Insiders podcast feed

wherever you get your podcasts. My last plug before I turn it over to Matt and Devon dwell embiad and Tobias Harris played excellent last night, and those are George Niang's two latest guests on the Big Niang Theory, which you can also find wherever you get your podcasts. The Tobias episode. I loved every episode this season, but the Tobias episode was my favorite. And so if you're coming over to the Tobias Harris bandwagon, now is the time. The time has never been better and that episode will

definitely help you get enthusiastic about to Bias Harris. So that's the Big Niang Theory part of the seventy six Ers podcast Network wherever you get your podcasts, Matt Devon, I'll let you guys, shut this one down. That's it. I don't think I have anything to add Devon feel free any final thoughts, but glad that we got to cover a lot of the game two stuff and the series stuff as a whole with the Sixers up two oh on the Raptors in the four to five series.

Always great to hear everyone's comments and questions. Looking forward to doing it again soon. Thanks for being here and Devon. Always good to chat with you as well, so thanks for being back. Always great to be with you. Guys. Always enjoy this, especially after wins. So now I'm just gonna go do some legwork so I can get up and don't like Danny Green. I love it. I love it. Thanks everybody. Thanks guys. Take here all right, take here in