Scottie Barnes led the way with 33 points as the Toronto Raptors snapped a four-game losing streak with a 106-103 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night. Immanuel Quickley added 23 points, and Toronto improved to 17-37 with the road victory.
The Raptors secured the win late after Barnes set up Ochai Agbaji for a crucial layup with 1:32 left to put Toronto ahead for good. Gradey Dick added 17 points, including a clutch three-pointer down the stretch to keep the 76ers from regaining the lead.
Joel Embiid led Philadelphia with 27 points and 12 rebounds but struggled in the second half, shooting just 4-for-13 after the break. He committed a crucial turnover with 8.1 seconds remaining, allowing Dick to sink a free throw that sealed the game.
Tyrese Maxey had an uncharacteristically poor night, finishing with just five points on 1-for-9 shooting. His struggles from deep mirrored the Sixers’ overall three-point woes, as the team shot just 23.7% from beyond the arc on 9-for-38 shooting.
Jared Butler provided a spark off the bench for Philadelphia with 15 points, while Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr. combined for 26 points. Quentin Grimes chipped in 13 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Sixers’ cold shooting.
Toronto’s perimeter attack played a key role in the victory, as the team knocked down just enough timely three-pointers, going 3-for-9 from deep in the fourth quarter. Their defensive pressure also disrupted Philadelphia’s offense in crunch time.
Barnes showcased his all-around game, adding 10 rebounds, three assists, and three steals to his 33-point effort. He was efficient from the field, shooting 10-for-16 and making 12 of his 15 free-throw attempts.
Quickley was a difference-maker, hitting four three-pointers and dishing out five assists while finishing a perfect 5-for-5 from the free-throw line. His playmaking kept the Raptors’ offense steady despite missing key contributors.
Toronto played without Brandon Ingram, who was recently signed to a three-year, $120 million extension after being acquired from New Orleans. Ingram hasn’t played since Dec. 7 due to an ankle injury but is expected to boost the Raptors once he returns.
The Raptors controlled the rebounding battle 49-46, with Al Horford and Jonathan Mogbo combining for 15 boards. Their effort on the glass limited Philadelphia’s second-chance opportunities.
For the Sixers, Embiid’s struggles in the fourth quarter were costly, as he went just 2-for-6 from the field in the final period. His inability to dominate late in the game left Philadelphia without a go-to scoring option as Maxey continued to struggle.
Toronto’s defense forced 14 turnovers, capitalizing on key mistakes down the stretch. The Sixers failed to generate consistent offense in the closing minutes, allowing the Raptors to grind out the win.
Philadelphia, now 20-33, has dropped a season-worst 13 games under .500. The team’s inconsistency without a fully healthy Embiid remains a concern as they try to stay competitive in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
