Tyrese Maxey breaks out for 38 points, 76ers beat Raptors in Game 1

Tyrese Maxey had the breakout sport of his younger profession, scoring 21 of his playoff career-high 38 factors within the third quarter to guide the Philadelphia 76ers to a 131-111 victory over the Toronto Raptors in Sport 1 on Saturday night time.

James Harden had 22 factors and 14 assists in his first Japanese Convention playoff sport as a Sixer. Joel Embiid, the NBA scoring champion, had 19 factors and 15 rebounds. They mixed to solely make 11 of 32 photographs from the ground.

Tobias Harris scored 26 factors for the Sixers, making an attempt to get previous the second spherical for the primary time since 2001. They host Sport 2 on Monday.

The opener belonged to Maxey. The 21-year-old Maxey is the youngest Sixer ever to attain no less than 30 factors in a playoff sport.

Sixers followers roared for “Maxey! Maxey! Maxey!” after every electrifying play — and he crammed a season’s value into the third as he dismantled the Raptors.

He swished a 32-footer late within the interval for a 20-point lead and despatched his teammates on the bench right into a frenzy. The Raptors had been surprised and had no reply for him: Maxey made 7 of 8 photographs total, each 3s and all 5 free throws in 12 minutes.

Whew!

Pascal Siakam scored 24 factors for the Raptors, who misplaced rookie Scottie Barnes to an ankle harm to worsen what was already a depressing night time. OG Anunoby scored 20 and Fred VanVleet added 18.

The Sixers took management within the first 24 minutes and Maxey stepped on the gasoline within the third in opposition to a crew that received the season collection 3-1 (with Embiid and Harden within the lineup for the final two).

Maxey, the 6-foot-2 bundle of power out of Kentucky, led the quick begin early with a pair of 3s and 10 fast factors that had the Sixers rolling with a double-digit lead.

The Sixers are Embiid and Harden’s crew, and as they go, so go the Sixers. However Maxey offers the 76ers a Large 2 3/4 and was extra than simply an ready alternative for the traded Ben Simmons.

Maxey emerged as a dependable scoring possibility — 18.7 factors and 48% on 3s after the All-Star break — and was on course from tipoff in opposition to Toronto. He made 6 of 10 photographs and his 15 factors within the first half had been one shy of matching his playoff excessive set final season in Sport 6 in opposition to Atlanta.

Ah, sure. Atlanta. The Hawks collection nonetheless had Philly on edge this week, because the stench of three dwelling losses and a second-round exit because the No. 1 seed wafted into this season.

The Raptors inched inside 11 within the third however Harden — the daring commerce deadline acquisition made for these moments — buried a 3 and a layup.

Harden then heaved a two-handed bounce cross from midcourt that Maxey caught in stride for a high-flying, reverse layup. The Sixers led by 18, Toronto known as a timeout and the Philly crowd went wild. Maxey hit one other 3 and it was 91-76.

The Raptors solely significantly challenged late within the first half. Embiid was hit with a flagrant after he clobbered Barnes on a drive. Barnes made 1 of two free throws and the Raptors scored off his miss to drag to 48-42.

Embiid, although, made the Raptors pay moments later. He sneered on a bucket and compelled VanVleet (who fouled out within the fourth) to his third foul. Embiid transformed the three-point play for a 57-42 lead.

Maxey took it from there.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Barnes grabbed his left foot and was in obvious ache after Embiid stepped on his foot within the fourth. He wanted assist to the locker room. Barnes, a high contender for Rookie of the 12 months, averaged 15.3 factors in 74 video games. … F Thaddeus Younger left with a sprained left thumb

TIP-INS

Raptors: Had simply two offensive rebounds within the first half. … Chris Boucher additionally fouled out.

76ers: Rapper Meek Mill and boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. sat courtside. … Turned the ball over on the primary possession of the second half. … Matisse Thybulle had three factors in 19 minutes. He received’t be obtainable for Video games 3 and 4 in Toronto as a result of he’s not absolutely vaccinated.