In Game 3 of their Conference Semifinals series against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Toronto Raptors suffered their biggest loss of the 2019 postseason.
The Raptors had no answer for Joel Embiid, who had a dominant Game 3 after a sub-par couple of games in Toronto.
In just 28 minutes of action, Embiid registered a double-double of 33 points and 10 rebounds while also recording five blocks and three assists. He shot 9-of-18 from the field, 3-of-4 from beyond the arc and 12-of-13 from the free throw line.
All in all, Embiid finished with a game-high +31.
TAKEAWAYS: 76ers win Game 3 at home to take 2-1 series lead
However, the Toronto franchise had a superstar of their own who had a spectacular night. Kawhi Leonard also put up 33 points (13-of-22 shooting) and recorded his fifth 30-point game of this postseason, tying a franchise record.
While Leonard shot 59.1 percent from the field in the loss, the rest of the team went 22-of-61 (36.1 percent).
The team's All-Star Kyle Lowry, who scored seven points on 2-of-10 shooting, recognized the greatness on display. He elaborated in a postgame interview on how he and the rest of the team need to step up and support Kawhi (via Josh Lewenberg):
"We've gotta help him, myself especially. I've gotta help him, score more, gotta help him on the floor. We've all gotta help him. He's playing unbelievable right now, but we're not giving him any help. Me, I'm not giving him any help. Gotta help him."
This series, Kawhi is averaging 37.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 61.0 percent shooting. He has really carried the Raptors offensively but the team's offensive numbers are abysmal when he's off the floor.
The Raptors offense has been abysmal sans Kawhi
— Micah Adams (@MicahAdams13) May 3, 2019
Raptors Offensive Rating
Kawhi On Floor Kawhi Off Floor
Game 1 126.0 47.8
Game 2 101.2 35.7
Game 3 105.4 70.8
Series 110.7 54.1
Danny Green echoed Lowry's thoughts on the support the team needs to provide to the 2014 NBA Finals MVP (via Josh Lewenberg):
"This is what he does, it's what he's used to doing, it's what he came he for, it's what they brought him here for, to carry that load on both ends. But we've gotta do a better job of helping him, myself included."
If they wish to utilize their home court advantage in this series as a No. 2 seed, the Raptors will have to win Game 4 on the road on Sunday. They otherwise face the uphill task of attempting to make a comeback from 3-1 down.