Raptors at 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers split two games in Toronto and now possess homecourt advantage as they prepare to host the Raptors on Thursday in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Philadelphia had lost 14 straight games in Toronto before the victory in Game 2 that changed the complexion of this series.
Jimmy Butler didn't care about the history with him being in his first season with the 76ers and was the key cog in the 94-89 victory by producing 30 points and 10 rebounds. "He was just a tremendous rock," Philadelphia coach Brett Brown told reporters of Butler, who had just 10 points in Game 1. "He willed us to a lot of different situations. He was a stud." Toronto star Kawhi Leonard has put together back-to-back big outings and is averaging 40 points and nine rebounds. While Leonard was 13-of-24 shooting in Game 2, the rest of the Raptors were 20-of-66 with Danny Green (1-of-8) and Marc Gasol (1-of-6) among the players having subpar offensive games.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, Sportsnet One (Toronto)
ABOUT THE RAPTORS: Toronto's bench combined for just five points on 2-of-11 shooting in Game 2 and coach Nick Nurse said he might switch up the rotations. "We're always thinking about possible adjustments to it or changes or whatever and this will certainly give us cause to reflect on that for sure," Nurse told reporters after the Game 2 troubles. "What we come up with for Game 3, I don't know yet. You know there's always little things you wish you changed - left this guy in longer or put this guy in sooner or whatever." Power forward Serge Ibaka, who had just two points in Game 2, averaged 15 points while starting 51 of 74 games played in the regular season but is averaging just 4.5 points on 4-of-14 shooting in the series.
ABOUT THE 76ERS: Philadelphia set the tone for its Game 2 victory by holding Toronto to 17 first-quarter points and it maintained the defensive intensity for most of the contest. "I thought our defense at the start of the game was almost as good as it could be," 76ers coach Brett Brown told reporters. "I was proud of our defense. I think our spirit was just fine, and it was reflected in a pretty solid defensive first half." Center Joel Embiid has been battling knee issues but it was a stomach illness that nearly caused him to miss Game 2 before he contributed 12 points in 32 minutes.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Raptors have allowed fewer than 100 points in six straight playoff games.
2. Philadelphia F Tobias Harris is averaging just 11.5 points in the series but has collected 15 and 11 rebounds in the two contests.
3. Toronto PF Pascal Siakam is averaging 25 points in the series but was 9-of-25 shooting in Game 2.