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Sixers beat Raptors: The return of the underdog mask, Jimmy Butler’s big half, and Joel Embiid’s airplane celebration

It turns out Chris Long and his fellow 2017 Super Bowl champions didn't throw out the dog masks they wore throughout the playoffs.

Eagles defensive end Chris Long shows off his underdog mask following the team’s 15-10 win over the Falcons in the NFC Divisional playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field.
Eagles defensive end Chris Long shows off his underdog mask following the team’s 15-10 win over the Falcons in the NFC Divisional playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer

The Sixers’ backs were against the walls, and they delivered.

A 112-101 win over the Raptors in the Eastern Conference semifinals Game 6 tied the series, 3-3, and forced a Game 7 in Toronto on Sunday.

Things kicked off with the return of a fond, familiar sight in Philadelphia: underdog masks.

We haven’t seen these masks since the Chris Long and company bought a bunch of them online on their way to a Super Bowl championship in 2017.

Maybe Ben Simmons likes those masks, because he broke out of a series-long funk to lead a strong first half.

And to think analysts and fans alike wanted him traded before the game began:

Jimmy Butler had a moment in the first half, too. Finishing the second quarter with a made basket, a steal, and a dunk as time expired.

Joel Embiid’s dad was in attendance, and it appears the big man is feeling better after being plagued with an upper respiratory infection in the last two games.

And T.J. McConnell had his fun while Embiid succeeded.

Game 7 will be at 7 p.m. at the Scotiabank Arena.