Kawhi fires playoff career-high as Raptors thwart Sixers in Game 1

MANILA, Philippines – The Toronto Raptors drew first blood against the Philadelphia 76ers in Eastern Conference semifinals with a 108-95 win on Saturday, April 27, (Sunday, April 28, Philippine time).

Kawhi Leonard could not have been any better, putting up a career-playoff high 45 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 steals as the Raptors led from the get-go and never looked back.

He became the first player in franchise history to have at least 40 points and 10 rebounds in a playoff game, and his 45 points were the second-most scored in franchise history, behind Vince Carter’s 50 points set in 2001. 

@kawhileonard propels the @Raptors in Game 1 with a #NBAPlayoffs career-high 45 PTS! #WeTheNorth

Game 2: Monday (4/29), 8pm/et, TNT pic.twitter.com/C2Vn2cATmJ

— NBA (@NBA) April 28, 2019

Pascal Siakam was the only other player in double figures in the win with 29 points and 7 rebounds, but his and Leonard’s efforts were already enough to take down the balanced 76ers side.

Kyle Lowry had 9 points and 8 assists, Marc Gasol delivered 8 points, while Serge Ibaka and Danny Green each had 7 points for Toronto. 

Six players breached twin digits for Philadelphia led by JJ Redick and Joel Embiid, who scored 17 and 16 points, respectively. 

Tobias Harris flirted with a triple-double of 14 points, 15 rebounds, and 6 assists while Ben Simmons had 14 points and 9 rebounds, but their stellar performances were eventually put to waste. 

Game 2 of the best-of-7 series is scheduled on Monday, April 29 (Tuesday, April 30, Philippine time). – Rappler.com