Mar 12, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes (5) shoots the ball as Toronto Raptors guard Jared Rhoden (8) tries to defend during the second quarter at the Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Despite the best efforts of Quentin Grimes and Jeff Dowtin Jr., the Sixers fell to the Toronto Raptors in a tanking battle.
Here's what I saw.
- I left meat on the bone when praising Grimes' shooting clinic on Monday against the Atlanta Hawks, so let's redeem it here. I find his shooting mechanics to be nearly pristine, both in execution and repeatability. He's getting more arc on the ball lately, too. His three-point shots are not nearly as flat as they were when he first arrived in Philadelphia. He's used the on-ball responsibilities in Tyrese Maxey's absence as an opportunity to get reps shooting off-balance jumpers, and Grimes has enjoyed success rising into those off the dribble. He's filled the hoop on some extremely difficult faders over the last three quarters of Sixers basketball.
- Remember the iconic "Show me the money" scene from Jerry Maguire? That was a foreshadow of Grimes' agent, who will be saying the same thing come July.
- It was refreshing to see the Sixers be the ones to capitalize in transition for once. Kelly Oubre Jr. sure had his fun running the floor for dunks, reaping the benefits of digging his hands in on passing lanes, driving lanes and handoffs.
- The way these two teams passed the ball to nowhere, you'd have thought the players were invested in the tank job, too. Pass to the guys wearing jerseys that look like yours. That might help.
- The Sixers had four team fouls just three minutes and 14 seconds into the second quarter. History will remember this game fondly.
- Grimes tried to throw Andre Drummond a bounce pass with two defenders running with him. What in tarnation?
- Lonnie Walker IV missed the rest of the game after smacking the back of his head on the court on a hard fall in the first quarter. Not a very serious game, but that was a serious moment. Hope he's OK.
- Ricky Council IV has had a largely miserable sophomore season in the NBA. He would do himself wonders if he just slowed down a little bit. Step one would be to stop jumping as if gravity doesn't exist. Once you leave the ground, you have to make a decision. He's exploding vertically way too early, and his control at the rim is shaky as a result. He plays the game in a rushed manner at times when doing so is not necessary.
- The Raptors were so committed to tanking this game that Garrett Temple got playing time in the first quarter. Impressive move, impressive move.
- Council should continue with the Chad Danforth look for the rest of his NBA career. It's a helluva hairdo.
- Dowtin having perhaps his best scoring outburst of the season in a game with such significant draft implications was peak Sixerdom. He was hitting threes on the reset, changing paces to beat bigs to the rim and finding the pot of gold on sky-ball floaters. He bore heavy responsibility for Philadelphia cutting the deficit to three points heading into the fourth quarters. What a plot twist!
The Sixers (22-43) will host the Indiana Pacers (36-28) on Friday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m., Eastern time. You can watch the game on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
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