The Toronto Raptors have dropped their 13th straight game as they lose to the Philadelphia 76ers 135-120.
Toronto was once again shorthanded in this one. Guard Ochai Agbaji was unavailable following a heavy landing on his right hip on Wednesday. Toronto’s list of eight absentees also included RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, who are in return-to-competition reconditioning, plus injured starters Scottie Barnes (left hand) and Jakob Poeltl (left pinkie).
Gary Trent Jr. led the way for the Raptors with 23 points. Jordan Nwora added 19, and Kelly Olynyk had 18 points and 11 rebounds as the Raptors matched the second-longest losing streak in team history. Toronto lost a franchise-worst 17 consecutive games in 1997-98.
The Raptors trailed in this game the entire time just like their game Wednesday night in a 44-point loss to New York. The Raptors have not led since early in the fourth quarter of last Monday night in a loss to Brooklyn.
Toronto has lost seven straight at home as the Raptors are now 1-14 against Atlantic opponents with one divisional game remaining, April 10 at Brooklyn.
The 76ers led 35-27 after one quarter and stretched their advantage to 71-55 at the half. Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 12 points in the third as Philadelphia took a 101-93 lead to the fourth.
Oubre Jr. scored a season-high 32 points, former Raptor Kyle Lowry had 11 points and 10 assists as the 76ers snapped their three-game losing streak.
Cameron Payne scored 14 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter, Tobias Harris had 21 and Nicolas Batum had 19 to help Philadelphia knock of Toronto.
Lowry and Nick Nurse, who who big parts of Toronto’s 2019 NBA championship team, each received a warm ovations when they were introduced before the game.
Next on tap
The Raptors will look to end their 13-game losing skid when they host the Los Angeles Lakers on April 2.
The Lakers are 9th in the Western Conference as they try and get themselves out of the Play-In Tournament.
Have you subscribed to the Raptors Nation YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!
