Sixers - Raptors Game Four: Perfunctory

 > First and foremost, Toronto deserved this ugly win. Lots of hustle boards, a signature game from Pascal Siakam, and if you want to have hope for them going beyond Game Five, Joel Embiid's thumb is a concern. They didn't roll over and die, and they avoided the sweep. Some team somewhere will come from 0-3 to win a series. They have the chance to be that team.

t> Having said that, if the officiating is going to be like this in Game Four when you go for the sweep, just rest the starters and see if playoff experience tells you something about a bench guy. Has any team ever tanked a playoff game?

> I was disappointed in Tyrese Maxey for the first time in a very long time today. No signature moments, didn't connect from deep, and did what he could with other contributions, but like most NBA players, he needs to score to be a net win. Missing technical foul shots late kind of summed up his day.

> Possibly James Harden's best game of the series, which is a little sad to say in a loss that wasn't really in doubt. Danny Green missing a bunch of threes, and Maxey not being his usual self, also cuts down on his impact as a point guard. 

> On some level, this game got less urgent when Atlanta took Game Three against Miami on Friday night. Reality.

> I'm not sure why, given health and other concerns, why Doc Rivers gave Embiid the minutes he gave him today. I get that a sweep would have been nice, but if Joel's not Joel, the Sixers have no shot. 

> I continue to be encouraged by the play of Tobias Harris, who is having a strong series and displaying efficiency. He's still a maddening player when the ball gets sticky, and he does not get you the loose balls you'd like, but the on-ball defense has been good. Remember, Sixer Fan, he's not responsible for the team overpaying him.

> Toronto Fan continues to react to Embiid as if he were the worst man in the world, and... I guess if I rooted for them, I'd hate on him, too. But even in a game where his body and mind are clearly not in it, and he's disgusted by the officiating to the point of comedy, the man can do things no 7-footer should be able to do. I also enjoyed his insincere clapping when he walked off the court. The man just got 21/8/3 in a bad game, for heaven's sake. (Five turnovers.)

> I'm well and truly ready to stop watching this Raptors team, especially where Nick Nurse pules for things that are obviously fouls. Dude has no shame.

> That's two games in a row where the Sixers haven't played well in the playoffs. I fully expect them to close this on Monday night, but they need to just play better.