Are the @raptors allowed to shoot free throws? Can't remember the last one they shot. #WeTheNorth @NBA #NBAplayoffs2022
— Chad Rubel (@canadian_xing) April 29, 2022
The Toronto Raptors comeback was impressive. The Game 3 loss was a tough one in overtime. The wins in Game 4 and Game 5 were outstanding, especially playing short without Fred VanVleet, who suffered a hip strain in Game 4. VanVleet didn't return to the series.
The Philadelphia 76ers played over their heads in the first 3 games and in Game 6 in the 2022 NBA playoffs. The Raptors just didn't have enough. Philadelphia had the 3rd quarter advantage earlier tonight by a 37-17 count.
This was the first opening round loss for Toronto since 2015 when the Washington Wizards swept the Raptors.
Scottie Barnes, the NBA's Rookie of the Year, got hurt in Game 1. Gary Trent Jr. had a bizarre non-COVID virus. Trent's fever reportedly reached 102°F (38.9°C).
Pascal Siakam and Chris Boucher were rather impressive in the series.
As the lower seed (#5), a team is guaranteed 2 home playoff games. The Raptors ended up with 3 games in Toronto. There was a pent-up need to celebrate, given the team having to play outside Canada since the pandemic until the fall of 2021. These were the first playoff games in Toronto since 2019.
Wonderful to see Jurassic Park filled with Raptors fans.
2022 Toronto Raptors NBA playoffs scoreboard
2022 Toronto Raptors NBA playoffs preview
A lot was made about Matisse Thybulle missing all 3 games in Toronto because he is not fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Thybulle can play in any playoff games since they won't be traveling to Canada.
The @MapleLeafs showing their support for the @Raptors tonight in Game 6 #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/Ix7yKKCPHG
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 28, 2022
Nick Nurse talking with Joel Embiid at end of Game 2 had everyone who was watching also talking about what was said.
"He was saying to me that, 'I'm going to keep making all the free throws if you keep fouling,'" Nurse said. "And I said, 'Well, you might have to.'
"But a good player, man. I got a lot of respect for him. He's certainly playing great here. There's nothing there but us trying to compete against him and him trying to compete against us."
Embiid had the game winning shot in overtime in Game 3 with under a second left on the clock.
Ladies and gentlemen, your 2021-22 @NBA Rookie of the Year:
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 23, 2022
SCOTTIE BARNES! pic.twitter.com/aR4VnvZLTY
Scottie Barnes won the NBA Rookie of the Year award just before Game 4 of the series. Barnes is the third Raptors player to win the honour along with Damon Stoudamire (1996) and Vince Carter (1999). He was the 4th overall pick in the 2021 draft.
The 20-year-old Barnes averaged 15.3 points and 7.5 rebounds with 49.2% shooting. He averaged 35.4 minutes per game, top among all rookies. Barnes was the only rookie to rank in the top 5 in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.
2021 Toronto Raptors NBA preview
TSN and Sportsnet split the 6 games with 3 games apiece. The Raptors went 2-1 on Sportsnet and 0-3 on TSN. That was more about Sportsnet availability given the NHL regular season. NBA TV carried 3 games in the series with 2 games on TNT and a game on ESPN.
CanadianCrossing.com NBA coverage
If the Raptors had survived the first round, Miami with Kyle Lowry would have been the opponent. The reception Lowry got when he returned to Scotiabank Arena was really beautiful. Playoffs with Lowry in Toronto would have been fun to watch.
Toronto Raptors playoffs history
| 2022 | Philadelphia | 2-4 |
| 2020 | Boston | 3-4 |
| 2020 | Brooklyn | 4-0 |
| 2019 | Golden State | 4-2 |
| 2019 | Milwaukee | 4-2 |
| 2019 | Philadelphia | 4-3 |
| 2019 | Orlando | 4-1 |
| 2018 | Cleveland | 0-4 |
| 2018 | Washington | 4-2 |
| 2017 | Cleveland | 0-4 |
| 2017 | Milwaukee | 4-2 |
| 2016 | Cleveland | 2-4 |
| 2016 | Miami | 4-3 |
| 2016 | Indiana | 4-3 |
| 2015 | Washington | 0-4 |
| 2014 | Brooklyn | 3-4 |
| 2008 | Orlando | 1-4 |
| 2007 | New Jersey | 2-4 |
| 2002 | Detroit | 2-3 |
| 2001 | Philadelphia | 3-4 |
| 2001 | New York | 3-2 |
| 2000 | New York | 0-3 |
photo credits: @raptors; Toronto Raptors
Twitter captures: @canadian_xing; @TSN_Sports; @sportsnet
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