PHILADELPHIA _ It was the biggest 76ers game since the jerseys were black and gold, and they made sure there would be a bigger one in a few days.
Behind strong efforts from Joel Embiid, Jimmy Butler and Ben Simmons, the Sixers routed the Toronto Raptors, 112-101, on Thursday to force a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference finals.
Butler led the way with 25 points, eight assists and six rebounds, Simmons added 21 points, six assists and eight rebounds, and Embiid scored 17 points to go along with 12 rebounds and two blocks.
It was a do-or-die night for the squad, which was blown out by the Raptors on Tuesday, 125-89, as Embiid struggled with an upper respiratory infection and Simmons continued to struggle finding a way to impact games against a stingy Raptors defense.
But both of the Sixers' young stars snapped out of it Thursday, with Simmons coming out strong and finishing the first half with 10 points and Embiid finishing the first half with a plus-minus of 30.
Butler closed out the first half with a made jumper, followed by a steal and dunk just before the clock expired.
The Sixers went on to win the third quarter, 29-24 and rested their starters for the final three minutes.
Game 7 at the Scotiabank Arena will be Sunday at 7 p.m. The winner will take on the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference finals. The Bucks beat the Boston Celtics in five games.
Kawhi Leonard paced the Raptors with 29 points, 12 rebounds and five assists.
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