RAPTORS:

Postgame Instant Replay
Philadelphia 84, Toronto 79
Game 4, Eastern Conference Semifinal
May 13 at Air Canada Centre

What did we learn from Game 4 of the Raptors-Sixers series?

First of all, things weren't going to be as easy as they seemed for Toronto in Friday night's blowout win in Game 3. Philadelphia is too good for that.

Next, the best play in basketball remains putting the ball in the basket. It always is and always will be. The Raptors needed extra work in that regard after making only one out of every three attempts from the field during the game, and barely one of out four in the first half.

Quote of the Game
"We needed this win in this hostile environment."
Allen Iverson

Also, the Sixers can win without Allen Iverson scoring 50 points. In fact, he scored a very pedestrian seven points in the entire second half.

Toronto and Philadelphia rely on their superstars (OK, we already knew that), but the better team will be the one that gets the best work from its supporting cast. Today, that was the 76ers, who got stellar performances from Aaron McKie (18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists) and Dikembe Mutombo (13 points, 17 rebounds and 4 blocks).

We also discovered that this series is becoming increasingly physical and nasty, best exemplified by the forearm shiver laid on Antonio Davis by George Lynch late in the third quarter. Lynch, though, will not be doing any more of that this season after suffering a broken bone in his right foot, removing him from the rest of this postseason competition.

This game also revealed that Sixers coach Larry Brown instructed Mutombo to step out on Davis more, thereby negating the superb shooting by Toronto's All-Star when he was left open earlier in the series. Davis finished just 4-for-10 from the floor.

It was also shown for the first time that Davis has been added to the very short list of Raptors over the years who have had their name chanted by the crowd en masse. After a hustle play that ended with him on the floor and possession in favour of the Raptors late in the game, the Air Canada Centre patrons erupted with calls of "A.D.! A.D.!"

Unveiled in the second half of Game 4 was conclusive proof that Raptors coach Lenny Wilkens likes to go with the players he is most comfortable with during crunch time. The five Toronto starters collectively played all but 15 seconds of the last two quarters.

Furthermore, the Air Canada Centre crowd has emerged into a real force and the building can be added to the list of NBA arenas described as a 'hostile environment' for visitors. It was so noted by long-time observers of the Philadelphia sports scene as well as Iverson, no less.

After hanging on for the win in a game that could be described as far less than pretty, Iverson said, "You find out what type of player you are, what type of man you are, when things are against you."

With the series now knotted at two games apiece, the outcome of the remaining games of this series will provide the greatest lesson of all.

Player of the Game

DIKEMBE MUTOMBO
The giant Mutombo had his greatest impact of the series, finishing with 13 points, 17 rebounds, 4 blocks and countless others altered.

Key Stat
Toronto shot only 26.0% in the first half, leading to a deficit of as many as 16 points.

Line of the Game
Carter and Iverson combined FG shooting: 18-57, .315 (Maybe they're really not that good? Oh, but they are.)

Top Highlight
Chris Childs nailed a three-pointer with 2:46 left in the game to bring the Raptors all the way back and tie the game at 78. Unfortunately for Toronto, the team only scored one point the rest of the way.

Hustle Board
Team	RB	ST	BLK	TOT
PHI	41	10	6	57
TOR	47	6	11	64

Leaderboard
	Toronto		Philadelphia
Childs	Points: Carter - 25 Rebounds: Davis/Oakley - 11 Assists: Childs - 7	McKie	Points: Iverson - 30 Rebounds: Mutombo - 17 Assists: McKie/Iverson - 5