Siakam shines in must-win game as Raptors stave off elimination with victory over 76ers

The Toronto Raptors lived to see another game.

Game 5 of the best-of-seven set goes Monday in Philadelphia.

Gary Trent Jr. had 24 points, while Thaddeus Young chipped in with 13, and OG Anunoby finished with 11 for the Raptors, who played more than half the game without injured all-star guard Fred VanVleet.

Scottie Barnes, Toronto's newly minted NBA rookie of the year, finished with six points and 11 rebounds in his return after missing two games with a sprained left ankle.

WATCH | Barnes takes home rookie of the year honours:

James Harden had 22 points for Philly, while Joel Embiid, playing with a thumb injury, finished with 21.

The Sixers cut the lead to a point, but the Raptors replied with a 6-0 run, and when Young swiped the ball off Embiid and Precious Achiuwa finished with a basket, the Raptors went up by seven with 9:11 to play.

LET'S GO‼️ <a href="https://t.co/3WbNHYB4SR">pic.twitter.com/3WbNHYB4SR</a>

Anunoby drilled a three-pointer, then Siakam connected on a pair of free throws for a 14-point lead with 3:28 to play. The Sixers unravelled in the final few minutes. Embiid was whistled for a technical when he bodychecked Siakam.

Achiuwa gave the Raptors a 14-point lead when he slashed through the defence to the basket with 1:28 to play, to the delight of a rowdy Scotiabank Arena crowd that included singer Avril Lavigne.

Raptors coach Nick Nurse emptied his bench with 1:19 to play, as the crowd chanted "Raps in seven!"

Siakam's solid game came three days after he scored just 12 points — and zero in the second half — in Game 3, and vowed to be more aggressive.

Barnes earned a loud standing ovation when team president Masai Ujiri presented his rookie of the year award before tipoff. Former Raptor great Vince Carter