'Best' and 'Worst' awards: Sixers vs. Raptors

My look at some of the best and worst performances and happenings from the Toronto Raptors' 108-98 victory over the 76ers on Wednesday at the Wells Fargo Center:

Best performance: How can you not give this award to Spencer Hawes? Sure Toronto guard DeMar DeRozan produced a game-high 33 points to lead the Raptors to victory. But anyone who witnessed the game realizes that Hawes was the standout. The Sixers center finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and a blocked shot while starting at power forward in Thaddeus Young's absence due to personal reasons. Hawes made 10 of 13 shots (3 of 4 three-point attempts) and 5 of 6 free throws.

Worst performance: It seems unfair to give this to Michael Carter-Williams, considering his team highs of  six assists and two blocked shots. But the 6-foot-6 point guard's 2 of 10 shooting and game-high 6 turnovers were hard to overlook. While he finished with 10 points, Carter-Williams was out of rhythm after missing the previous four games with a left foot arch bruise.

Best defensive performance: This was a tough one, but Toronto's Rudy Gay gets this award after blocking two shots. Both of his blocked shots – on a James Anderson layup and an Evan Turner jumper – came in the second quarter when the game was still competitive. The swingman also grabbed 8 rebounds – all on the defensive end.

Best performance by a Raptor: DeRozan wins this award after producing his game-high points. The shooting scored 22 of his 33 points before intermission.

Worst statistic: How can you not give this to the Sixers' turnovers? They turned the ball over 20 times.

Best statistic: This award goes to Toronto's three-point shooting.  The Raptors made 14 of 29 three-pointers. DeRozan, Villanova and Cardinal Dougherty High product Kyle Lowry and Terrence Ross all made three three-pointers.

Best quote: This goes to Hawes on the Sixers' 20 turnovers:  "If we're going to have 20 turnovers, we might as well kick them all out of bounds [so] they're not hitting threes on the other end."

Worst of the Worst:  This goes to Young's absence. The Sixers were out of sync all night without their leader. His athleticism was missed on the defensive end. This team takes a huge step back when he's not on the floor.