- The Sixers blew it on Sunday afternoon. With a chance to take a commanding 3-1 lead in their playoff series with Toronto, they lost a very winnable game- at home- to the Raptors, 101-96. The game was tied going into the 4th quarter and the Sixers couldn't hold serve. They went over six minutes in the final quarter without a field goal. Toronto simply out-played them and wanted it more. Unacceptable!
Tobias Harris was a no-show, going 2-13 from 3-point range. Ben Simmons is proving he's a soft, scared player in the spotlight, with only 10 points. In a half-court game he is afraid to shoot and is largely ineffective. He needs to work on his jump shot and free throws in the off-season, not the Kardashien girl. The bench was a waste in crunch-time.
Joel Embiid was supposedly sick with what Sixer doctors called "an upper respiratory infection." Who knows? He did text Coach Brett Brown at 6:00 am. that he was sick, giving him a heads-up that he may not be able to play. To his credit he did, but at the end, missing three straight free throws, he looked like death warmed-over, standing wobbly at the foul line.
Should he have played at all? In was an important game, but not a must-win situation. Why not send an ill Embiid home to rest and save him for Game 5 in Toronto on Tuesday? The other players may have rallied without him. Instead Embiid played every bit as he looked, scoring 11 points and looking slow and lackluster all game.
Why does Embiid get sick so much? We know he doesn't eat right, as witnessed by his recent stomach affliction. He needs to eat healthier, get his rest and take care of his body. It's obvious he isn't doing so. Aside form his knee, back and foot problems, it has to be a long-term concern for 76er management and fans.
Jimmy butler was really the only player with a spark on Sunday. Not only did he score 29 points, he acted like a leader on the floor. He was aggressive, and urged his mates to attack and not lay back as much.
Did the players take this game for granted, seeing how they destroyed the Raptors so easily in Game 3? Did they expect Toronto to roll over and flee back to Canada with their tail between their legs? Butler called the team "humbled" by the loss. That sounds like many of the players may have been full of themselves going into the game.
I can't blame Brown for this defeat. He was playing with a short deck. He may get the ultimate blame if the Sixers end up losing this series but the aforementioned players need to step up.
It's been hard enough for Philly to win in Toronto without having to do it twice in a series, but that's the task facing the 76ers now. Then they must win Game 6 back in Philadelphia. Anything less would mean elimination, and no improvement form last year.
Is till say Toronto wins the series. Kahwi Lenard is too good. He's focused and appears more serious to win than the Sixers do. He isn't getting much help around him, and overall the Sixers may have more pure talent, but the best team doesn't always win.
Lenard should be a free agent the Sixers try to lure to Philly this summer. I doubt he would come. if he doesn't stay north of the border he is headed for Los Angeles.
- The Phillies bounced back nicely form their devastating loss on Saturday night to beat the wounded Nationals 7-1 on Sunday and take two of three over the weekend. Zach Eflin pitched well again, going seven innings and only surrendering one run. Rhys Hoskins continued his All-Star like early season performance, lacing a two-run double to increase his team-leading RBI total to 31. He is on a pace to collect 150 RBIs this season.
Now the Phils hit the road, going to St. Louis, Aka "Baseball Heaven" to take on the red-hot Cardinals, who lead NL Central. It will be a battle of first place teams, three games, as Vince Velasquez opens the series tonight for Philly. Aaron Nola pitches tomorrow night and Jared Eichoff goes Wednesday afternoon. Then It's on to Kansas City to play the cellar-dweller Royals.
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