Sixers vs Raptors: 4 takeaways from the game between two of the East's best | NBA 2018/19

Battle of the benches

Philly's bench is struggling

The Raptors played 12 players and Philadelphia just nine. Philadelphia's bench recorded approximately 71 minutes of playing time. The Raptors bench played about 78 minutes. Valanciunas, coming off the Raptors bench, recorded 26 points, which alone, was more than Philadelphia's bench accumulated as a unit. The Raptors ultimately outscored Philadelphia's bench 41-18.

While Toronto's bench lately has been somewhat inconsistent with its scoring, head coach Nick Nurse can play 12 players most nights. Also, because the Raptors refuse to play Valanciunas and start with Serge Ibaka, Valanciunas provides a starter quality player coming off the bench. If Philadelphia wants to be considered in the same class as the Raptors, or even in contention with them, they are going to need a stronger bench.

In acquiring Butler, Philadelphia traded away a veteran combo-guard in Bayless, a strong two-way player with high shooting ability in Covington, who can start for many teams in the NBA, and an offensively solid Saric.

Philadelphia's starting unit is as strong as anybody's in the East, but they lack quality depth on their bench. If they do not figure out a way to balance out their rotation, the starters will get overworked.