Fred VanVleet puts up 32 as Raptors top Sixers
FILE–Fred VanVleet #20 of the Toronto Raptors.Andy Lyons/Getty Images/AFP
Fred VanVleet scored 32 points, including a clutch 3-pointer with 24.8 seconds remaining, and the Toronto Raptors defeated the host Philadelphia 76ers 115-109 on Thursday.
Gary Trent Jr. and OG Anunoby contributed 20 each and Chris Boucher had 17 for the Raptors, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Scottie Barnes contributed 13 points and nine rebounds.
Article continues after this advertisementPascal Siakam was given the night off by the Raptors to rest his shoulder. Siakam has played in only two games after offseason shoulder surgery.
Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 33 points and Tobias Harris returned from a six-game absence due to health and safety protocols to produce 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
A Thursday night in Philly
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Seth Curry added 15 points, Shake Milton had 12 and Andre Drummond grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked four shots.
The Sixers have dropped three in a row immediately following a six-game winning streak.
Philadelphia played without Joel Embiid, Matisse Thybulle and Isaiah Joe all for health and safety protocols. Ben Simmons (personal reasons) has yet to play this season.
The Sixers went ahead 57-47 after Harris’ floater in the lane with 34 seconds remaining in the second quarter.
The Raptors sliced the lead in half from there and trailed by five at halftime.
Toronto ripped off a 13-2 run capped by a Barnes jumper to go ahead 70-68 with 4:49 left in the third.
The Raptors quickly pulled out to a seven-point lead early in the fourth before Maxey came back with a tough jumper. Trent hit a trey and Boucher threw down a dunk for an 90-80 Raptors lead.
Milton knocked down a reverse layup with 7:23 remaining and the Sixers trailed 94-91. After an empty Toronto possession, Harris hit a jumper to cap a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to one.
Toronto answered with a surge of its own and took a 105-97 advantage with 4:31 left after Anunoby’s 3-pointer from the wing.
A 9-0 Sixers surge, capped by Drummond’s offensive rebound and layup with 1:44 remaining, put the hosts ahead 109-107.
Trent Jr. made a 3-pointer with 1:10 left as Toronto regained the lead 110-109. VanVleet’s trey and two late Anunoby free throws sealed the win.
