Scottie Barnes delivered a standout performance, scoring 27 points to lead the Toronto Raptors to a 115-107 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night, snapping Toronto’s seven-game losing streak against Philadelphia. Jakob Poeltl contributed 19 points and nine rebounds, providing a strong inside presence for the Raptors.
Toronto’s rookie duo, Jamison Battle and Jonathan Mogbo, added significant depth, with Battle scoring 10 of his 12 points in the fourth quarter before fouling out. Mogbo, meanwhile, tallied 12 points, five assists, and nine rebounds, helping the Raptors dominate the boards with a 54-28 rebounding advantage over the 76ers.
Kelly Oubre Jr. led Philadelphia with 28 points, while Tyrese Maxey added 24. However, the 76ers remain winless after opening the season with a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday. Missing All-Star center Joel Embiid, who was sidelined with a sore knee, Philadelphia struggled in the paint, getting outscored 56-30 inside.
Veteran guard Kyle Lowry, a former Raptor, received a warm ovation in his return to Toronto, contributing 14 points in the 76ers’ starting lineup. Lowry’s presence couldn’t change the outcome, though, as the 76ers faltered defensively and fell behind in the fourth quarter.
In the final stretch, Battle fueled Toronto’s offense, scoring nine consecutive points within two minutes, expanding the Raptors’ lead to a game-high 19 points. His back-to-back three-pointers and three-point play broke open a close game and left Philadelphia unable to close the gap.
Barnes rebounded from a rough shooting night in the season opener against Cleveland, hitting 8-of-11 from the field and 11-of-13 from the free-throw line. His scoring helped offset a tough start for teammate Paolo Banchero, who went scoreless in the first half but finished strong with nine assists.
Toronto’s defensive energy stymied Philadelphia’s shooters, as Maxey, the 76ers’ second-leading scorer, shot just 3-of-16 from the field after the first quarter. Though he shot 10-of-12 from the free-throw line, Maxey’s struggles from the field mirrored a wider shooting gap for the 76ers, who missed crucial shots late in the game.
The Raptors’ success on the boards and defensive intensity marked a critical win for a team aiming to contend in the Eastern Conference. By balancing contributions from Barnes, Poeltl, and their bench, Toronto looks to build on this victory as they approach a challenging early-season schedule.
Philadelphia, on the other hand, has work to do in adjusting to life without Embiid and resolving defensive issues. Their early struggles emphasize the importance of the All-Star center, especially as the 76ers face another test against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, with Embiid’s availability still in question.
