Deep Sixed: Raptors eliminated from NBA post-season after Game 6 loss to Philadelphia

Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby (3) looks on in the dying minutes of second half NBA East Division 1st round game 6 basketball action against the Philadelphia 76ers, in Toronto, Thursday, April 28, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

The Toronto Raptors tried to look at the positives after their NBA post-season ended in blowout fashion.

A team that's building for the future did well to earn the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference before falling to Philadelphia in the first round. The 76ers took the series in six games with an emphatic 132-97 win on Thursday night at Scotiabank Arena.

"I felt like we learned so much," said Raptors forward Chris Boucher. "The fact that we made it to the playoffs and we were down 3-0 and fought all the way back, it really showed our character and the fight that we have."

Joel Embiid led the Sixers with 33 points as Philadelphia's 37-17 romp through the third quarter essentially put the game out of reach.

Toronto had eyes on evening the series at home and forcing a seventh game in Philadelphia. No NBA team has ever dropped the first three games of a best-of-seven series and come back to win.

The Raptors were feeling confident after earning a Game 4 win at home and taking Game 5 on the road. But after an even two quarters in Game 6, the 76ers started to pull away right after halftime and they never looked back.

Boucher led Toronto with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Pascal Siakam had 24 points.

The 76ers will face the Miami Heat in the second round. The Raptors will hold season-ending media availabilities on Friday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 29, 2022.