Sixers' losing streak extends to four games with 106-103 setback against lowly Raptors

Keith Pompey, The Philadelphia Inquirer on Feb 11, 2025

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PHILADELPHIA — The 76ers have a ball-distribution problem.

With Joel Embiid and Paul George back in the lineup, the Sixers have a semblance of continuity. But Embiid and Tyrese Maxey have been taking the bulk of the shots and accounting for most of the scoring. Meanwhile, George, a nine-time All-Star and 20.6-point career scorer, has been put on the back burner.

“I think it’s at this stage, it’s something we would like to see some improvement in for sure,” coach Nick Nurse said before Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Raptors. “I think that Tyrese and Joel played a lot of games together and obviously a lot of reps together, too. … We’re trying to get some more reps with Paul and Joel, right?”

While George’s involvement improved against the Raptors, the Sixers now have another growing problem. Tuesday’s 106-103 loss to the tanking Raptors extended their losing streak to four games. It’s also their sixth loss over the last seven games.

This one dropped the Sixers to 20-33, while the Raptors (17-37) snapped a four-game skid.

Embiid finished with 27 points on 8-for-19 shooting while making 10 of 13 foul shots. The seven-time All-Star center also had 12 rebounds, four assists, and four costly turnovers. Embiid appeared to injury his left elbow while battling for the ball late in the second quarter. He remained in the game.

George had 14 points on 5-for-12 shooting to go with two steals. However, Maxey had one of his least productive offensive performances of the season. He had five points on 1-for-9 shooting.

But newcomers Jared Butler and Quentin Grimes picked up some slack. Butler, a two-way reserve guard, scored 15 points in his second game since being acquired in a trade from the Washington Wizards on Thursday. Meanwhile, Grimes had added 13 points in his third game after coming to the Sixers in a trade from the Dallas Mavericks.

Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 33 points and 10 rebounds.

The Sixers made a conscious effort to get George involved early, running the first play for him, but ended with Embiid being called for a three-second violation. George later drove into the lane and dished to Justin Edwards for an easy layup. Then on the next possession, George missed an 11-foot jumper. The 6-foot-8 forward scored his first basket on a layup with 7 minutes, 58 seconds left to pull the Sixers within 11 points (17-6).

George shot 2 for 5 while scoring four points in the quarter. Embiid had eight points, while Maxey was held scoreless on 0-for-1 shooting.

George didn’t shoot another shot until the 7:18 mark of the third quarter. Meanwhile, Maxey never seemed to find a rhythm. The point guard scored his first two points of the game on a pair of foul shots with 2:27 left in the third quarter. So the Sixers relied heavily on Embiid until midway through the final quarter. And unfortunately for the Sixers, their Big Three struggled down the stretch.

Grady Dick buried a 3-pointer to put the Raptors ahead 99-96 with 3:32 remaining. Embiid split a pair of foul shots on the ensuing possession to pull the Sixers within two points. He then missed a reverse layup on the Sixers’ next offensive possession.

But George pulled them within one point (101-100) with a corner 3-pointer moments later. After the Raptors made a foul shot, Maxey scored his first shot from the field on a 3-pointer that tied the score at 103 with 1:49 to play.

However, Maxey, Embiid, and George all missed shots before Embiid turned the ball over with the Sixers down 105-103 with 8.1 seconds left. Dick, who stole the ball, raced down the court and was fouled by Maxey with 5.1 seconds left. Dick split a pair of foul shots to put the Raptors up three. The Sixers called a timeout, but Maxey missed the potential game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Up next

The Sixers will travel to New York to face the Brooklyn Nets Wednesday at the Barclays Center (7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSP). The Nets (19-34) have won two straight and five of their last six games. The Sixers have a 2-0 series advantage over their Atlantic Division foe.