NBA 2018-19: 3 takeaways as Raptors beat Sixers

In a possible Eastern Conference Finals match-up, the Philadelphia 76ers went head-to-head with the Toronto Raptors during what was a nail-biting contest. The Raptors eventually came out on top, with a 113-102 victory.

The match was hotly-contested throughout, with both sides unwilling to throw in the proverbial towel. It was a great sight to watch two of the best players - Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard - go against one another and provide amazing performances for their respective franchises. But alas, there could only be one winner on this occasion and it proved to be the Raptors, who enjoyed a late surge to seal victory.

The 76ers even took the lead in the third quarter, but the hosts continued to play their game and earned their reward as a result. The Raptors are the NBA's top team with a 21-5 record at present and one of the favourites to emerge out as the Eastern Conference champions this season. Meanwhile, the 76ers remain in third position with a 17-9 record.

With all of that in mind, here's a look at the top three takeaways from this game:

#3 Toronto as one of the league's strongest depth on the bench

Valanciunas, pictured here against the Hawks, scored 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the bench

The Raptors are atop the league and this display proved precisely why. They do not rely on just one player to handle the scoring load, nor defensive side of the game for them. They know it's a team game and play like one - their bench outscored the Sixers by a whopping 41-18.

Even though much of that split is due to Jonas Valanciunas' heroic 26-point performance, players including Fred VanVleet and OG Annunoby also come in at crucial moments and deliver for their team. Be it with Annunoby's good on-ball defence or VanVleet's 3-pointers.

The Raptors continue earning great production from the bench, which has proven to be one of their recipes for success over the past few seasons.

#2 Philadelphia lack many shooters

They rely too heavily on JJ Reddick's shooting. This was a known fact from even before this season started, that Philadelphia would lack consistent shooters from deep. We all hoped that Big Ben would somehow magically develop into a respectable shooter, or Markelle Fultz would truly announce himself in the NBA after a forgettable first year in the league.

Neither of those things has happened and now Philly are left to rely too much on JJ's shooting, although he has performed pretty well this season with an average of 18.7 points on 45% FG and 37% from behind the arc.

This becomes very evident when in the final minutes all opposition teams start to mark Reddick well and they are left with no space to create any good looks - so instead take poor shots and often find themselves losing close games.

So, Philadelphia need to handle their shooting woes otherwise they will be in deep trouble come playoff time - when defences will clog their offense and provide them no space to create better looks than they have been getting at times this season.

#1 Big game Kawhi

Kawhi Leonard never fails to deliver in a big game. It was just another game, another night for Kawhi who was dialed in from both offence and defence. He provided big numbers with 36 points, nine rebounds and five steals on 13-24 shooting. Eager not to give the Sixers any chance of getting ahead, he was constantly drilling in shots, be it from the arc or inside.

Most of all, the former DPOTY proved why he's still one of the league's best two-way players by coming up with crucial steals and breaking the Sixers' momentum. The visitors never really recovered courtesy of the Raptors' effective defence, powered by their franchise player.

The fact he was coming off the back of a 27 point, eight rebound losing effort against the Denver Nuggets - the Western Conference leaders - any worries Raptors fans might have regarding his potential to play in big games and deliver is premature.

Over the course of 20 games this season, Kawhi is averaging 26.1 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists. Shooting 49.1% and 36.2% from behind the arc, he's already one of the leading contenders in the MVP race.