Toronto Raptors: Norman Powell, Kyle Lowry come up big to force a Game 7

Toronto Raptors force a Game 7 behind Lowry, Powell

Tied at 106 with seconds remaining in the first overtime, Toronto Raptors Nick Nurse drew up a final play that would hopefully give his team an opportunity at a Game 7. As it unfolded, however, it wasn’t Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, or even Pascal Siakam that had his number called.

Instead, Norman Powell dribbled out the clock and shot a 3-pointer at the buzzer. It wasn’t close and the Raptors and Boston Celtics were on their way to overtime No. 2.

While there were many questions that stemmed from that play call and then decision (by Powell) to not drive on Kemba Walker (who seemed to be the Celtics’ only “weak link” on an otherwise terrific defense), all that was quickly put to rest when the Raptors, powered by Powell’s 10 points in double overtime, outlasted the Celtics 125-122 to force a Game 7 in their Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup.

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It was Norman Powell that ended up playing a vital role in the Raptors’ beating the Celtics in Game 6, but it was Kyle Lowry, once again, that helped put Toronto in a position to even win the game in overtime.

Lowry finished with 33 points, eight rebounds, and six assists while playing 53 minutes on the night. Powell added a huge 23 off the bench and VanVleet finished with 21 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Pascal Siakam continued to struggle, finishing with only 12 points on 5-19 shooting from the field. He did add eight points and six assists and was a team-high +12 which led all players that saw the floor in Game 6.

Nevertheless, the Raptors, the defending NBA champions, have once again proved that their never-die attitude in an attempt to make it back to the Eastern Conference Finals. Heading into Game 7, though, the big question will revolve around which team has anything left in the tank.

In Game 6, specifically, eight players on both teams played at least 50 minutes. For the Raptors, it was Siakam, Lowry, VanVleet, and OG Anunoby logging the big minutes. Boston’s Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, and Kemba Walker also played huge minutes in what they hoped would be a closeout game.

Now, this series could very well come down to which team, or player, will be able to overcome fatigue and dead legs.

For the Raptors, it could be as simple as finding a way to get Pascal Siakam in a groove. He’s been pretty off for the series and hasn’t really turned in a typical Siakam performance through the first six games. If he has an average game, that might be enough for the Raptors to beat the Celtics in Game 7.

On the other hand, the Celtics have to feel good about their chances. Considering that Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum shot 11-32 in Game 6 and that it still took two overtimes for the Raptors to finally win, Boston should feel good about their Game 7 chances.

Plus, there’s the whole aspect of the “road” team winning every game in the first six games. In Game 7, the Celtics will be the “road” team.

The Toronto Raptors have another opportunity to extend this magical season in hopes of defending their championship. The Boston Celtics need one more haymaker to knock off the defending champs. Which team will emerge in Game 7 to advance to play the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals?