NBA: Raptors look to win season series, sweep back-to-back vs. 76ers

The Toronto Raptors can clinch the season series against the visiting Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night by completing a sweep of their two-game back-to-back set.

Toronto took the opener on Sunday with a 116-115 overtime victory. The Raptors now lead the season series 2-1, a game-and-a-half ahead in the standings after splitting two games at Philadelphia in November.

Sunday’s game featured 16 lead changes and 15 ties. The 76ers held late leads in the fourth quarter and again in overtime but were unable to close out, a struggle that has plagued them this season.

“We just have to be better, be more disciplined and stay together in those moments where we're facing a little bit of adversity, because we both made runs,” said Philadelphia’s Kelly Oubre Jr., who had 13 points, four steals, and three blocked shots in the loss. “But you know, theirs was the final shot.”

Oubre was playing his third game after missing 22 due to a sprained knee ligament.

“He hasn’t really scored much since being back, so that's obviously nice to see,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said. “He even hit a three, but he had some really nice drives. He had a couple of good blocks and steals as well, which is why we ended up playing him as much as we did down the stretch.”

Scottie Barnes led Toronto with 31 points, including the game-winning free throw in the final second of overtime, deliberately missing his second attempt.

“When you need a stop, [Barnes] gets you a stop,” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. “When you need a rebound, he gets you a rebound. When you need a bucket, he gets you a bucket. And it’s well-documented how he plays in the fourth quarter, the kind of force he brings.”

Tyrese Maxey scored 38 points for the 76ers, who had won five of their previous six games.

Both teams were without key players. Joel Embiid (knee) and Paul George (knee) did not play for Philadelphia, with George being a late scratch.

“Yeah, he just got some stiffness in his leg,” Nurse said. “We tried to warm him up two different times, and just couldn't get to where he could push off on it enough or accelerate.”

For Toronto, Brandon Ingram (thumb) and RJ Barrett (ankle) were out and are considered day-to-day. Jakob Poeltl (back) remained sidelined but appears ready to return. Toronto also lost Ja’Kobe Walter to a hip pointer in the first quarter.

Rookies Collin Murray-Boyles and Alijah Martin stepped up. Murray-Boyles started and recorded 17 points, 15 rebounds, three steals, and three blocked shots.

“He plays hard,” Rajakovic said. “He's not shying away from any type of contact. He only cares about how to help the team, how to help us win.”

Martin, playing his second consecutive strong game as a reserve after limited NBA minutes this season, scored nine points, grabbed eight rebounds, and added four steals and two blocks in nearly 30 minutes. He had scored his first NBA points Friday against the Boston Celtics with seven points in 15 minutes.

“I’m one of the guys that enjoys playing defense,” Martin said. “This game is all about opportunities and taking advantage of them.”

“He’s not shying away from the moment at all,” Rajakovic added. “He has that winning mentality.”

—Field Level Media/Reuters