Chasing 0-3 in their first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Toronto Raptors faced a mission impossible over the weekend. The winners of the last two games, they believe now, more than ever, that they can achieve the success of becoming the first NBA team to win a series after losing the first three games.
If anyone can do it, it’s us, right? Raptors coach Nick Nurse told a press conference Wednesday, a day before the sixth game between Toronto and Philadelphia.
The 54-year-old tactician is encouraged by his team’s latest results and he also believes his team has a better chance than anyone who has made NBA history since nothing to lose.
Expectations are relatively low. Not super bass, but low enoughhe agreed, quite the opposite of the 76ers, who traded for star player James Harden last season and made no secret of their intention to claim the title this season.
Veteran Chris Boucher, for his part, assessed that the fact that the Raptors are a very young team is in their favor.
When you realize that we have a lot of young people – half the team, moreover, hasn’t made it yet [séries] – You never know what might happen. We have a lot of talent, so I think just surprises. Historically, [revenir de] 0-3 didn’t happen, but I don’t think we’ve seen a young team play well yethe said.
Winning 110-102 Saturday in Toronto and 103-88 Monday in Philadelphia, the Raptors have finally found their way to go, Montrealer also believes.
I have the impression that we always need a few slaps in the face before we start playing well, he added. I think Game 3 helped us a lot to realize what we had to do. The defeat opened our eyes […] With the group of players we have, we don’t last long on the ground.
His teammate Gary Trent Jr. According to him, the Raptors surpass the storm every time whether they experience a bad patch or encounter difficulty, despite their lack of experience.
Obviously, the Raptors need to win Thursday in Toronto before they can think of winning the series. Trailing 2-3, they will still face elimination and that’s what Nick Nurse hastened to remind reporters.
We went into the hole we were in and we were still there, but for me, as I said at 0-3, we had to look for [victoire]. And as a matter of fact, we still need onehe pointed out.
One hundred and forty-three teams in NBA history trailed 0-3 in the playoffs before this year. None of them climbed the slope to win and only three teams were able to force themselves to hold the seventh and final match. That’s why the Raptors will make history with their win in Game 6 on Thursday.
The Raptors doubt they can bank their main point guard Fred VanVleet, who was not included in Game 5 due to a left hip injury.
As for Scottie Barnes, who sprained his ankle in the first game of the series, but is back in the game, he said he no longer felt embarrassed by it. I feel a little sick sometimes, but it’s okayhe indicated, specifying that he lends himself to a regular regimen of treatments to get back to the top of his form.
Barnes, named the NBA’s most important rookie last season, played 41 minutes on Monday and had 12 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. He is also very effective on defense.
Game 6 of the series between the Raptors and 76ers will begin at 7 pm Thursday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
Source: Radio-Canada
