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Ice in Their Veins: The Greatest Clutch Plays in Sixers-Raptors History
Few rivalries in the NBA have provided us with so many edge-of-your-seat moments as have been seen in the battles between the Toronto Raptors and the Philadelphia 76ers.
The teams have been in epic battles over the years, each of which led to a legendary moment for each of these teams.
From buzzer-beaters to defensive stops that left fans in awe, these games have been a spectacle of greatness, nerves of steel, and last-second heroics.
Let us journey down memory lane and reminisce about some of the greatest moments in this fascinating rivalry.
Vince Carter’s Near-Miss (2001 Eastern Conference Semifinals)
The 2001 Eastern Conference Semifinals contest between the Raptors and Sixers was a war of attrition, a legendary duel between Allen Iverson and Vince Carter.
With a 3-3 deadlock in the series, Game 7 in Philly came down to its last possession.
ON THIS DAY (May 11, 2001) Vince Carter exploded for ?? ??? (a @Raptors playoff record) in a Game 3 victory over the 76ers during the Eastern Conference Semifinals!@mrvincecarter15’s Stats:
50 POINTS
9 THREE POINTERS
7 ASSISTS
6 REBOUNDS
4 BLOCKS pic.twitter.com/gE1rnCOp9Q— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) May 11, 2020
With under a minute left on the clock, Carter, who contributed 20 in the game, controlled the ball.
He jumped in the corner for a potentially decisive jumper, and his shot clanked off iron, earning an 88-87 victory for the Sixers. The shot of Carter clanking off is part of the Raptors’ playoff legend.
Allen Iverson’s 52-Point Masterpiece (2001 Playoffs)
(2001) 18 years ago today, one of the most exciting NBA Playoff series ever came to an end when the 76ers beat the Raptors 88-87 in Game 7.
Allen Iverson and Vince Carter put on a SHOW during the matchup.
– Iverson: 33.7 PPG. Two 50 pt games.
– Carter: 30.4 PPG. One 50 pt game. pic.twitter.com/VeGZFw5qB9— Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) May 20, 2019
PHOTO: ClutchPoints
While a missed shot by Carter shattered hearts in Toronto, Iverson’s Game 5 heroics in the same playoffs left us all gasping. The Answer went for 52, using his signature speed, handles, and shot-making audacity.
In clutch time, he made consecutive threes, extending Philly’s lead and leaving the Raptors stunned. Iverson didn’t just help Philly win a game; he secured his status among his generation’s greatest playoff stars, making a wave even among those placing bets on online gambling sites.
Kawhi Leonard’s Buzzer-Beater (2019 Eastern Conference Semifinals)
No moment in Raptors-Sixers history is more etched in memory than Kawhi Leonard’s Game 7 clincher in the 2019 Eastern Conference Semifinals. With the teams tied 90-90, Leonard grabbed the inbounds pass, drove down along the baseline, and released a high-arcing fadeaway over Joel Embiid.
May 12th, 2019 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals game 7: Raptors vs 76ers.
Kawhi Leonard hits a fade away near the corner over Joel Embiid to send the 76ers home. ✋ pic.twitter.com/sTnyhbaG0I
— Jose LAL (@JoseLAL23) July 25, 2023
The ball bounced four agonizing bounces on the rim before it went in, pushing the Raptors on to Eastern Conference Finals and eventually a first championship in franchise history. The shot quickly joined the pantheon of all-time great moments in NBA history, a tribute to Leonard’s calm under duress.
Joel Embiid’s Dominance in 2022 Playoffs
Game 3 of the Raptors vs. Sixers first-round 2022 playoff series resulted in a thrilling overtime game. With a 101 tie and a 0.9 shot clock, an inbounds pass by Danny Green went directly to Joel Embiid, who released a turnaround three.
The shot went in, silencing the faithful in Toronto and giving the Sixers a 3-0 first-round lead.
The play evidenced a knack on Embiid’s part for delivering in big moments and his development as a first-line big in the league.
Joel Embiid’s Game 3 game-winner from inside the arena!
Game 4: 76ERS/RAPTORS
Sat. 2:00pm/et on TNT pic.twitter.com/Cs13oVAZZs— NBA (@NBA) April 21, 2022
Jimmy Butler’s Near-Game-Winner (2019 Playoffs)
Before Leonard’s Game 7 shot in 2019, there was an analogous moment of heroism for Jimmy Butler. With time running down on the clock, Butler sprinted down the floor and converted a tough layup, which tied the contest 90, leaving room for Leonard’s heroics.
While Butler’s shot didn’t end up being a game-winner, it indicated that the Sixers themselves have a player who can deliver in crunch time. If Leonard had missed, Butler’s bucket could have been the play of the series.
Chris Bosh’s Late-Game Brilliance (2007 Regular Season)
Not every memorable clutch play occurs in the playoffs. In a 2007 regular-season game between the Raptors and Sixers, a spectacular game-winner by Chris Bosh clocked in just at the buzzer.
With his team trailing a pair of points in the dying moments, Bosh drifted past the arc and made the shot, securing a heart-stopping win for Toronto. While moments of the regular season ultimately fade away, this play indicated that in an 82-game grind, great players can deliver when it matters.
The Greatest Clutch Plays in Sixers-Raptors History Are Worth Remembering
From Vince Carter’s nearly missed opportunity to Kawhi Leonard’s miracle buzzer shot, the Raptors-Sixers rivalry has given us some of the greatest clutch moments in the NBA annals. Be it Iverson’s scoring binges, Embiid’s cold-blooded shot, or Butler’s last-second heroics, these moments remind us why we all love this sport so much.
Courtesy to Kevin Roberts
They provide an additional element of intrigue for online bookmakers, too, since a shot can change fortunes in an instant.
With each of these teams fighting for Eastern Conference dominance, there is little question there is more of this kind of unforgettable clutch play in the offing.
PHOTO: ClutchPoints
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