Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers Game 4: Prediction, Preview For 2019 NBA Playoffs

The second-round series between the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers has quickly turned on its head. After Toronto won Game 1 easily and looked like they might cruise to the Eastern Conference Finals, Philadelphia has won two straight contests, including a dominating Game 3 performance.

With the 76ers set to play Game 4 at home Sunday afternoon, they’ve got a real chance to take a commanding 3-1 series. Despite being blown out 116-95 Thursday night, the Raptors are actually favored to tie the series at 2-2.

As poorly as the Raptors have played over the last two games, Kawhi Leonard’s performances have to give Toronto some confidence that they can steal a win in Philadelphia. The 2014 NBA Finals MVP continues to look like the best player in the Eastern Conference with at least 33 points on better than 54 percent shooting in every game this series.

This issue has been the lack of support he’s gotten from his teammates. Pascal Siakam has played well in a couple of games, but that's about it. Marc Gasol and Kyle Lowry need to play a lot better in order for Toronto to have a chance, especially if Joel Embiid is going to keep putting up monster numbers.

Embiid struggled in the first two games of the series as he battled a knee injury and an illness. He was a completely different player in Games 3 with 33 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks.

When Embiid is at his best, Philadelphia is arguably the best team in the East. However, the center hasn’t consistently been at his best since the All-Star break.

Ben Simmons hasn't scored more than 14 points in a game this series. The same goes for Tobias Harris. Don't expect the 76ers to run through the Raptors again if that continues.

Few All-Stars disappear in the playoffs as Lowry does. He’s scored nine points or fewer four times this postseason. The point guard had just five points when the Raptors were eliminated from last year's playoffs. His postseason resume is filled with games in which he’s had little impact.

But there are times when Lowry does show up. He scored 20 points in Game 2. After Toronto lost the series opener against the Orlando Magic in the first round, the veteran had 22 points and seven assists in a game the Raptors needed.

When it was Lowry and DeMar DeRozan leading the charge, the Raptors were in trouble if their backcourt wasn’t outstanding. Between the addition of Leonard and the emergence of Siakam, Toronto can win by simply having a competent point guard.

Toronto doesn’t need Lowry to have an all-world performance. The Raptors just need players like him and Gasol to contribute a little bit to an offense that's looked like the league's worst when their star isn't scoring. That also goes for the bench, which has been a complete non-factor this series.

The Raptors’ role players were too good all season long to keep playing this poorly. This isn’t LeBron James playing in Cleveland with Kyle Korver as his second-best teammate.

If Raptors No.3-No.7 settle in, Leonard should be good enough for this series to be tied when it returns to Toronto for Game 5.

Prediction: Toronto over Philadelphia, 104-97