Raptors’ revival continues with a win over the 76ers

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As the Raptors continue to play out the string, while they await their fate as the May 12 draft lottery approaches, even the smallest sign of improvement must be made.

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Sunday night at the Wells Fargo Arena against the host Philadelphia 76ers, Scottie Barnes backed his defender down with purpose and ferocity.

RJ Barrett was aggressive and would set the tone by scoring 10 first-quarter points en route to a 31-point game in leading the Raptors to their comfortable 127-109 win.

No one knows what the future holds for Cole Swider, but the Villanova product returned to one of his college hoops homes and displayed his ability to knock down shots.

When shots are being drained, the floor gets spread that leads to driving lanes.

Also coming off the bench was Jamison Battle, who has earned some kind of role going forward because he is more than capable of making three-point shots.

The third member of Toronto’s second unit was Ochai Agbaji, whose overall game is suited to coming off the bench.

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Jonathan Mogbo also played well.

A well-schemed inbound play underneath the Sixers basket resulted in a block at the rim, but it did speak to head coach Darko Rajakovic’s unwavering commitment and professionalism.

Simply put, he never takes a play off, even though the Raptors have nothing to play for with the season reduced to seven games.

Another sign of optimism arrived when Mogbo stepped into a three with confidence in draining his shot.

All the good notwithstanding, they did come against a very inferior Sixers team.

Toronto’s recent run of success has come against bad teams.

In terms of bad, the term is a charitable way of describing this Sixers, who, in fairness, competed on the second night of a home back-to-back set.

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When the Raptors forged a 21-point lead in the third quarter, they lacked focus when going with a unit consisting of four rookies and Agbaji.

Philly made it an eight-point lead, forcing Rajakovic to call a timeout.

In the fourth quarter, Rajakovic started Barnes and Barrett.

Once the Raptors regained their rhythm, they cruised to their win.

With the Raptors off until Tuesday when they play the host Chicago Bulls, Toronto ends the month of March on a four-game winning streak and an overall March record of 10-5.

Philly’s loss was its eighth in a row as it got swept by the Raptors during the four-game season series.

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE

Prior to tipoff, Sportsnet reported the club had picked up the fourth-year option on Rajakovic, who is about to finish his second season in Toronto.

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The news came two days after Memphis dismissed Taylor Jenkins, whom Rajakovic worked under.

Interestingly, according to the report, the decision to extend Rajakovic was made last summer.

Regardless of the timing, it’s the right move because it provides the franchise and its players with certainty.

It’s also certain Rajakovic will be under the microscope next season for the first time as Raptors head coach given the pressure to make the playoffs.

Barnes, whose lone post-season appearance came in his rookie year, will be entering his fifth season.

He’ll be teamed up with Brandon Ingram.

START OF SOMETHING

There have been more different starting lineups for the Raptors this season than wins produced, highlighting many issues, including the inability to stay healthy.

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In recent weeks, the Raptors have purposely sat out players for rest purposes.

Sunday, it was once again the tandem of Immanuel Quickley and Jakob Poeltl to get the night off.

The two legitimate starters on the floor were Barnes and Barrett, who were joined by Jamal Shead, Ja’Kobe Walter and Orlando Robinson.

Rookies Shead and Walter have each taken turns showcasing their talents, including Sunday when each reached double figures in scoring.

Robinson is a veteran big with a soft touch.

In Toronto’s win Wednesday against the host Brooklyn Nets, he poured in 23 points, two shy of Robinson’s season high he set on March 12 against visiting Philly.

As fluid as Toronto’s starting group has been, it pales to the plight of the Sixers, who have been quite frightful to watch.

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During the Sixers’ most recent run of misery, Quentin Grimes and Guerschon Yabusele have made losing somewhat bearable because each has played well as starters.

Neither was available against the Raptors, who faced a very depleted opponent.

In the first quarter, Philly turned the ball over six times, while the Raptors limited their turnovers to two in taking a 32-31 lead.

Toronto led by as many as nine points.

The second quarter ended on a buzzer-beating tip-in by Walter as the visitors took a 63-49 advantage into the break.

DEEP SIXERED

The inevitable became reality Saturday when the host Sixers lost to the Miami Heat, a 118-95 loss that officially eliminated Philly from the post-season for the first time in a decade.

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Unofficially, Philly was rendered a non-playoff team weeks ago.

And to think the season began amid so much expectation following the acquisition of Paul George, his arrival leading many to believe the Sixers would be championship contenders.

Among the league’s biggest disappointments, Philly’s fall ranks near the top, if not at the top.

All that is left to look forward involves the draft and whether the Sixers’ top-six protected pick gets exercised.

If Philly falls outside the No. 6 slot, the pick will be conveyed to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

When the Sixers last missed the post-season, Joel Embiid was limited to 31 games during the 2016-17 season.

This season, the former league MVP, who said he wasn’t going to play in back-to-back games, was able to appear in 19 games in the wake of a series of injuries and suspension.

George, a nine-time all-star, played in only 41 games.

When he did play, George was a shell of himself.

Combined, Embiid and George will earn $100 million US this season and are owed a boat-load of money on their respective deals.

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