10 things I saw from Raptors-Sixers

Game notes:

1. That was a perfect game in terms of delivery. The fans were treated to a feel-good win during the last home game of the regular season, Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeMar DeRozan played less than 30 minutes, Dwane Casey tested a few different lineups, and everybody in the rotation got some decent run.
2. Hopefully Casey will rest Lowry and DeRozan on the second night of a back-to-back tomorrow, but I’ll understand if they want to chase 56 wins. Fifty-six!
3. Most encouraging sign: DeMarre Carroll looked awesome at power forward. The boxscore numbers don’t jump off the page (8 pts, 6 reb, 2 stl), but he looked really comfortable at power forward. The Raptors switched liberally with Carroll involved, they were able to open up the transition game, he made a few hustle plays (3 offensive rebounds, a putback) and there was plenty of space for Lowry and DeRozan to drive.
4. I mean, it was only the Sixers, but the Raptors went on a 25-6 run in 6 minutes immediately after Carroll replaced Luis Scola in the second half. Carroll was plus-30 in 21 minutes.
5. Another encouraging sign: the Raptors pulled out their entire playbook for Jonas Valanciunas in the first half. A few pick-and-rolls, his standard left-block post-ups, and a few duck-ins worked to great effect. He finished with 17-11 in 17 minutes.
6. Happy for Nik Stauskas that he was able to show off for his friends and family in attendance. He threw down 4 dunks (!), one of which was an absolute facial against Bismack Biyombo. Sauga represent!
7. Speaking of showing off, Biyombo drained all three of his jumpers. You have no excuse not to chase your dreams.
8. Even against the Sixers, Scola somehow still managed to be a net-minus (-7). Casey should shorten the rotation in the playoffs and lean of Patrick Patterson and Carroll to eat 40 minutes a night at PF.
9. Not afraid of the Pacers. I’ll have a full playoff preview up for Thursday.
10. The Raptors have won their last 12 meetings against Philadelphia. I’m sad Sam Hinkie is gone. It was nice to always have 4 wins in the bank.

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