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Published Jan 12, 2026 • 4 minute read
76ers’ Joel Embiid
76ers’ Joel Embiid dunks against Raptors’ Sandro Mamukelashvili last night. Photo by Cole Burston /Getty Imagse
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The Raptors have hit the NBA’s midway point.
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Unfortunately, they got hit with a sledgehammer in the form of the visiting Philadelphia 76ers.
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If this version of the Sixers shows up in the post-season, the Eastern Conference will have its hands full.
The Raptors can attest to the power of a healthy and fully engaged Sixers side, which blew a late lead in regulation Sunday before losing to the Raptors in overtime.
A two-game set in Toronto was split, as was the four-game season series, with each team winning at home and on the road.
Monday’s rematch was a mismatch, the game essentially decided in the first quarter.
It would be interesting to see how a fully healthy Raptors team would fare against Philly, but that will only happen if the two teams happen to hook up in the playoffs.
Based on talent, the Sixers would prevail in a best-of-seven series.
Philly had the look of an NBA champion in the opening half Monday, scoring a staggering 80 points on a blistering 73% shooting to take a 29-point advantage into the break.
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Lowry gets huge ovation
The only question Monday was whether Kyle Lowry would see the floor.
A hallway at Scotiabank Arena located outside the visiting locker room was splattered with photos of Lowry during his days in Toronto, a clear tribute for someone who will one day sign a one-day contract with the Raptors before he joins Vince Carter in having his jersey retired.
With six minutes left in the game, the crowd began to chant: “We want Lowry!”
To their credit, the Raptors were infinitely better in the second half, especially on defence, trapping the Sixers at halfcourt, forcing turnovers and playing with an overall heightened sense of urgency.
With 1:57 left, the crowd got what it wanted when Lowry entered the game in what should be, barring a playoff matchup, his final appearance in Toronto, at least as a player.
He heaved an airball from beyond the three-point arc on his first attempt.
A second three-ball hit front iron.
A third three-ball rimmed in and out.
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He did have the ball in his hands when the buzzer sounded.
Players from both teams acknowledged the moment.
In the end, the Sixers defeated the Raptors, 115-102.
Lowry kept the game ball.
The following are three takeaways on a night the Raptors’ record dropped to 24-17, while the Sixers improved to 22-16.
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1. B.I. Opener
So much for rust compromising Brandon Ingram’s game after he missed the past two games in the wake of thumb injury to his right or shooting hand.
The guy is so smooth and so polished that no amount of inactivity is capable of knocking Ingram out of his rhythm.
His first touch of the game, a Ingram’s trademark turnaround produced Toronto’s first basket.
It would continue.
With Ingram back and looking completely healthy and fully engaged, it was inevitable that Scottie Barnes would be asked to shoulder less of a load.
He was a beast in Sunday’s thrilling overtime win.
Despite committing an unnecessary technical foul, Barnes’ sense of awareness was on full display when he intentionally missed a free throw late in OT after making the first that would stand as the winning point in a 116-115 victory.
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Barnes played 43 minutes.
Monday presented an entirely different challenge for both Barnes and the Raptors knowing Philly fielded its best roster.
The Sixers scored 45 first-quarter points, the most allowed by the Raptors in the opening period this season.
2. Centre of Attention
As expected, the Sixers welcomed the return of Paul George and Embiid.
Of the two, Embiid casts a bigger shadow on the court and it has nothing to do with his size.
For a big man, Embiid has a soft touch on his jumper, not to mention his fine footwork.
The Raptors asked rookie Collin Murray-Boyles to defend Embiid.
The kid has shown a penchant for always stepping up to the biggest challenge.
He gave up a lot of size, both in terms of height and weight, but CMB battled and tried to keep Embiid away from the basket by getting into the former league MVP’s body.
There was no denying the obvious mismatch.
The key was to put Embiid in pick-and-roll sequences because, despite his immense talent, he is not a noted perimeter defender.
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Embiid also saw Barnes as the primary defender.
With 1:41 left in the opening quarters, Embiid and rookie Alijay Martin earned double technicals.
Martin brings a competitive edge to the court, a trait the Sixers first experienced Sunday.
George, by the way, would be featured on Ingram on several possessions and also be asked to guard Barnes.
He’s not the Paul George of old, but the veteran can still defend and core.
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3. Mamu Makes Amends
In 18 minutes Sunday, Sandro Mamukelashvili went scoreless after missing all three of his attempts.
He emerged with a minus-17 rating, the kind of game high no player wants to see attached to his line.
At least he didn’t go scoreless Monday.
With Jakob Poeltl (back), RJ Barrett (ankle) and Ja’Kobe Walter (hip pointer) unavailable, Toronto’s bench needed to step up.
The same could be said for Toronto’s starters.
When a team such as the Sixers are being led by its Big 3 of Embiid, George and Tyrese Maxie and when the opposition is draining many three-pointers, it’s an uphill battle.
Philly’s Big 3 accounted for 37 points in the opening period.
Up Next
Raptors head to Indy for a Wednesday night tip against a Pacers team that recently ended a club-record 13-game losing streak; Indy, suffice to say, is not good and is the lone NBA team to feature a single-digit win total; the good news is Indy will get a high lottery pick this June with a draft class loaded with high-end prospects.
fzicarelli@postmedia.com
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