The Philadelphia 76ers have fallen victim to the Toronto Raptors for quite some time now. They haven’t been able to get a regular-season win in Toronto since 2012 and they have not been able to figure out the hex the franchise holds on them after losing in the playoffs in the semifinals.
After losing the first matchup between the two teams in Toronto on November 25, the Raptors now invade the Wells Fargo Center on Sunday as the Sixers will look to keep their unblemished record at home alive.
It’s now time for the game preview with everything included:
How to watch Sixers vs. Raptors
- Date: Sunday, December 8
- Time: 6:00 p.m. EST
- Location: Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia, PA
- TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Injury Report
- Sixers: NOT YET SUBMITTED
- Raptors: OUT: Stanley Johnson(left groin), Patrick McCaw(left knee), Matt Thomas(left finger)
Storylines
Sixers consider Raptors matchup highly
It may just be a regular game in December in the grand scheme of things, but for the Sixers, this one means a bit more to them. Considering the recent history and everything that has transpired since then, it’s easy to figure out why they won’t be taking this one lightly.
Coach Brett Brown put it:
“To dust it off and say it’s just another game, I will not say that at all,” said Brown. “It would be disingenuous, our recent history with them, you remember. It’s true, they are the NBA champs. The game that we lost in Toronto doesn’t go away quickly.”
Brown wants Simmons to shoot more
In Saturday’s easy 141-94 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Ben Simmons was the story of the game not only for his career-high 34 points, but for the fact that he made his second 3-pointer of the season, and his career. The shooting is something that was always going to come gradually and slowly, but Brown wants to expedite it a bit by asking him to shoot more in games.
“This is what I want, I want a 3-point shot a game, minimum,” said Brown. “The pull-up 2’s, I’m fine with, whatever, he’s open, but I’m interested in the 3-point shot.”
Simmons has been scrutinized for not taking more shots from beyond the arc, but he insists he’s getting more comfortable on his shot.
“I’m getting more comfortable,” said the point guard. “Obviously throughout time just getting more comfortable with the game, just learning my spots, and just adjusting.”
Prediction
The status of Joel Embiid, who missed Saturday’s win over Cleveland with a left hip contusion, is still up in the air, but this is one game he’d probably love to play in. Embiid went scoreless in the team’s previous matchup in the season and he would love another crack at Marc Gasol and Pascal Siakam, as would a lot of the Sixers. If Embiid can’t go, it will be up to Simmons, Tobias Harris, and Al Horford to lead the team in this one. Even with all of that, it seems as if the Raptors have their number right now. This will be a tough one to call, but gut feeling says Toronto finds a way to win.
Pick: Raptors in a close one
Sixers vs. Raptors season series
Game 1 November 25: 101-96 Raptors
Game 2 December 8:
Game 3 January 22:
Game 4 March 18:
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