The Philadelphia 76ers are coming off a narrow 110–108 win over the LA Clippers. There isn’t much time to take it in, though, as they head into yet another back-to-back. They’ll host the Toronto Raptors
for the final time this season before traveling to Milwaukee to face the Bucks tomorrow.
This will be the second meeting between the Sixers and Raptors this year. The first ended in a Sixers victory behind Tyrese Maxey’s 31 points and Joel Embiid’s 29. Toronto was without Jakob Poeltl in that matchup, but he’s expected to be available this time.
The Raptors have been in strong form since that first meeting. They’ve won eight of their last 10 and are looking to push their four-game win streak to five. Their success has come from balance on both ends. Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram and RJ Barrett are all averaging at least 19 points per game, and the team ranks seventh in offense and 10th in defense.
For the Sixers, Maxey will look to keep up his All-NBA caliber pace. He’s averaging 32.5 points, 7.7 assists and 4.9 rebounds on 45.6 percent shooting from the field and 41.3 percent from three. He’s been the steady force in an ever-changing lineup, and he’ll aim for another big night against the Raptors. He’ll also be matched up against his former Kentucky backcourt partner, Immanuel Quickley.
In the previous meeting, the Raptors did a solid job containing rookie VJ Edgecombe, holding him to 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists on 5-for-15 shooting. With Toronto’s length clogging the paint, he’ll be looking for a more efficient showing this time around. Trendon Watford turned in one of the best games of his career the last time these teams met, and the Sixers will look to replicate the areas where he found success. He posted a standout 20-point, 17-rebound, 10-assist performance in that matchup.
In terms of injury updates, Joel Embiid practiced in full on Tuesday and is listed as doubtful for this matchup. He had been ruled out early in recent games, so this is a sign he’s moving in the right direction. Paul George, coming off his season debut, has been ruled out for this game and is likely to return tomorrow in Milwaukee. Kelly Oubre remains out with an LCL injury, and Adem Bona is sidelined with an ankle sprain.
The Toronto Raptors, meanwhile, are mostly healthy. The only notable name on their injury report is Collin Murray-Boyles, who is listed as questionable with knee soreness.
The Sixers will look to cool off one of the hottest teams in the league and head into the second half of their back-to-back riding a two-game win streak. We’ll see if they can take advantage of the home cooking yet again.
Game Details
When: Wednesday, November 19, 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia PA
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers
