NBA: Kawhi delivers Shootout with Butler

The Toronto Raptors show again why they are the best team in the league. Despite a gala performance by Jimmy Butler, the Philadelphia 76ers cash in a 102-113 defeat (BOXSCORE) – Kawhi Leonard saves the day.

The Raptors continue their outstanding season with a victory in the east duel against Philly. It is for the 76ers the 13th consecutive defeat in Canada. The new face of the franchise, Kawhi Leonard, proved once again why it was the right decision to bring him to Toronto. On the other hand, Sixers newcomer Jimmy Butler has also delivered a strong performance, but could not prevent the defeat.

Philly actually got the better start into the match, with an 8:0 run they took the lead in the first quarter. But Toronto always stayed on the ball and finally took the first lead in the middle of the second leg.

Before halftime, both teams seemed to be out of rhythm, the throwing odds were terrible and the turnovers were increasing, especially in the Sixers. Due to the 11 ball losses alone in this neighborhood, the Raptors managed to move on. So far only one Toronto player from Downtown scored and this was Kawhi, who had 21 points on his account at the break.

However, the home team trumped it with defensive qualities and thus maintained control. However, Philly did not give up, outreboundete Toronto in the third quarter with 16:8 and continued to provide for a more than one and exciting match. The Raptors again had trouble transforming their threesomes, but Kawhi turned up the heat.

The Raptors dominated the final quarter again with 35:25, the Sixers did not get a single chance from the free-throw line, because Toronto defended disciplined. When other players joined in and Toronto started a 7-0 run in the final minutes, the game was over for the Sixers.

Key to the victory for the Raptors was, besides a good defense, also the fast switching in the transition and the superiority in the zone. There they outscorted Philadelphia with 20 points, the 21 turnovers of the guests contributed a lot to it. In addition, their bench players were extremely effective in comparison, this comparison also goes to the Raptors with 41 to 18 points.

Jonas Valanciunas was able to set a new season best with 26 points (9/13 FG) and also grabbed 8 boards. Kawhi finished the match with 36 points (5/6 3FG), 9 rebounds and 5 steals. As teams, however, they hit only 27.6 percent of the three-way line.

On the Sixers side, Butler also scored a new season’s best score of 38 points (15/27 FG) and got 10 rebounds. JJ Redick converted 5 of his 12 triple attempts and barely to 25 points (9/16 FG). Sophomore Ben Simmons almost scored a triple double with 8 points (4/6 FG), 10 rebounds and 11 assists, but he also scored 7 turnovers and was often too inattentive.