The Philadelphia 76ers took control of the first-round series between them and the Toronto Raptors after their win in Game 2 of the first round. The Raptors are depleted, with injuries to Scottie Barnes, Gary Trent Jr., and Thaddeus Young. Against the 76ers, their flaws have looked exposed and this series is looking to be a short one.
Even though nobody expected the Raptors to make it here, they have done so and will be battling with the championship pride this team has. As a result, Nick Nurse has been quite animated while dealing with people around him during the games.
One of the biggest stories of Game 2 was the massive free throw disparity between the Sixers and the Raptors, something Nurse was not happy about. Embiid has given his response to the Raptors coach.
"He's a great coach. I've always been a big fan, but I told him, respectfully, to stop b*tching about calls. I saw what he said last game."
– What Sixers star Joel Embiid told Raptors coach Nick Nurse in Game 2 😳pic.twitter.com/7SI0Rd4CH3
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 19, 2022
Nurse said this about Embiid after the game, prompting the response that Embiid had given.
“If we’re legal defensively, we’ve gotta have a call, or we don’t have a chance. Nobody can guard that guy if they’re gonna let him run you over.
It is easy to say ‘stop bi*ching about calls’ when your team gets most of them. The Raptors shot only 12 free throws in Game 2, while the 76ers received 30. Embiid (14) alone received more foul shots than the entire Raptors team. Foul-baiting and their propensity to end up at the line has been an issue with the 76ers, with rival teams and fans feeling like the calls are not fair.
The Raptors have no one to match up with Embiid outside Pascal Siakam and Precious Achuiwa. Naturally, they aren’t exactly suited to guard Embiid completely. The 76ers also have the X-Factors of James Harden and Tyrese Maxey on their team, so it is bound to be a little too much for this mostly young Raptors squad to navigate past.
