Toronto Raptors hosting Philadelphia 76ers to open second-round series
TORONTO — Once again, Marc Gasol can expect to be a key figure for the Toronto Raptors in the second round of the NBA playoffs.
The seven-foot-one centre played a big role in Toronto’s Round 1 victory over Orlando, holding Magic all-star centre Nikola Vucevic to an average of 11.2 points (and 36.2 per cent shooting) in the five-game victory. Gasol will be front and centre Saturday night when the second-seeded Raptors host Philadelphia to open their second-round series at Scotiabank Arena, lining up against 76ers star Joel Embiid.
The seven-foot Embiid averaged 27.5 points and 13.6 rebounds in helping the 76ers (51-31) finish third in the Eastern Conference this season. He then guided Philadelphia to a 4-1 playoff series win over the Brooklyn Nets, averaging 24.8 points and 13.5 rebounds.
“Prepare for a great player,” Gasol said Thursday about facing Embiid. “Just like any great player, you try to make everything as uncomfortable as possible, be as physical as they allow you.