Playoff R2G5 Philadelphia 76ers vs Toronto Raptors: With 3 Games in 5 Days, Will Lin’s Number Be Called?

With Fred VanVleet continuing to struggle, Coach Nurse reduced his minutes to 7 minutes in Game 4 and play Patrick McCaw and Kahwi for the rest of his minutes in the 2nd half.

Fred VanVleet averages in 4 games vs. Sixers:

1 point on 7.7 percent shooting, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 0.8 steals in 17.6 minutes off the bench.

He's 1-of-13 from the field with a plus-minus of -31 and has more personal fouls (7) than assists (4).

— Chris Walder (@WalderSports) May 5, 2019

Although Lin is no longer listed in the injury list for his back spasm, it does not look like Coach Nurse has the confidence to play him ahead of McCaw. Perhaps the thought is McCaw would provide tall defender to make it harder for 76ers big lineup to outscore the Toronto bench. But at some point, Nurse has to think how to create sparks from the bench without burning out the starters by playing them 40+ minutes. With the looming 3 games in 5 days, Coach Nurse has to decide which bench lineup can create sparks to help Raptors win the series without burning out the starters.

Based on his rotation, it seems Powell and McCaw would have the priority if VanVleet continues to struggle. Lin and Meeks  might be next if nothing else works.

Many NBA Analysts have expressed the thought that Jeremy Lin can provide playmaking if VanVleet continues to struggle

I know VanVleet has been a key guy for Toronto, but Nurse might want to consider giving some run to Jeremy Lin at some point. FVV has been awful all series long.

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) May 5, 2019