Jared Rhoden posted a career-high 25 points and 12 rebounds and A.J. Lawson added 28 points as the Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Philadelphia 76ers 118-105 on Wednesday night.
Toronto led by as many as 22 points in the first half, but the margin dwindled to three entering the fourth quarter. Rhoden’s steal and dunk, however, put Toronto ahead by 10 with 8:28 left in the fourth and he followed with a 3-pointer to bump the margin to 13.
Orlando Robinson added a career-best 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Raptors. Jamison Battle added 11 points while Colin Castleton had seven points and 14 rebounds.
Quentin Grimes scored 29 points for the 76ers. Jeff Dowtin Jr. added a career-best 20 points, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Adem Bona each posted 13 and Ricky Council IV contributed 11.
Philadelphia’s Lonnie Walker IV crashed hard to the floor and hit his head going for a defensive rebound with 6:24 left in the first quarter. He left for the dressing room and did not return.
The teams showed more energy late in the first quarter with Toronto taking a 29-23 lead.
Philadelphia started the second quarter with a burst. Bona made a loud block, Jared Butler gathered the rebound and sprung Council for a flamboyant dunk that cut the lead to 29-27. That did not rattle the Raptors, who opened a 12-point lead on Lawson’s 3-pointer. Toronto continued to execute the basics and, after consecutive 3-pointers by Shead, Robinson and Rhoden, led by 22 points with 4:50 left in the second quarter. Grimes provided some needed energy for Philadelphia and scored six straight points following a timeout to cut Toronto’s lead to 69-55 at halftime.
Philadelphia cut the lead to nine on Justin Edwards’ layup with 8:52 remaining in the third quarter. The Raptors crashed the boards and rebuilt their lead to 17 on Jakob Poeltl’s short jumper with 6:48 left. Philadelphia persisted and Dowtin’s 10-footer narrowed the lead to 89-86 after three quarters.
Scottie Barnes (hand), RJ Barrett (personal) and Immanuel Quickley (rest) were out for the Raptors while Guerschon Yabusele (knee) was among the missing for Philadelphia.
