Raptors able to keep cool heads in the absence of VanVleet

PHILADELPHIA — In enemy territory, and on the biggest stage for many of them, the young Toronto Raptors could have withered without their all-star point guard in Philadelphia on Monday night.

But in a season rife with injuries, the Raptors have learned to win with — and without — the guiding hand of Fred VanVleet.

Hours after VanVleet announced he was out for Game 5 with a strained left hip flexor, the Raptors beat the Philadelphia 76ers 102-88, holding off elimination for the second time in as many games. Now the Raptors head back home for Game 6, with the chance of sending the series to seven games and pulling off a comeback that's never been done in NBA history.

"I think we did a pretty good job," said Pascal Siakam, who had 23 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, and did an admirable job quarterbacking the team. "For me just sometimes trying to take that pressure, make sure everyone is calm, bringing the ball up and calling something or even seeing coach out there on the sideline racing and making sure he gets us into something. I think as long as we do that and with them making shots . . . I think we will be OK."

VanVleet missed 13 games in the regular season starting late January with a bruised knee, and the Raptors won nine of them.

Coach Nick Nurse pointed out the team also practised without him for much of that stretch. VanVleet is questionable for Thursday's Game 6 with the hip flexor, an injury that's bothered him on and off all season.

The Raptors also won on Philly's home turf Monday in front of a notoriously rowdy crowd. They were still rowdy — but the anger was directed toward their own team.

"Before the game I told all the guys it was going to be loud in here," Siakam said. "But we have to listen to