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Here we go again. It’s the Raptors vs. the Sixers, and everything that goes along with that. As you may know, Toronto won the last meeting of these two teams — with Joel Embiid going scoreless — and they also won the one before that — which, uh, was kind of a big deal. It doesn’t feel like there’s any narrative meat left on this Toronto vs. Philly bone, but then again: there is.
That’s because the two teams are currently in the thick of it for Eastern Conference supremacy. The Raptors are 15-6 in fourth place, the Sixers are 16-7 and in fifth. There’s little doubt many would pick Philly to go further in the playoffs this year given their high-level talent and how close — perhaps just four bounces — from winning it all they were last season. Except it hasn’t quite played out that way so far. Philly is 8-2 in its last ten games, but aren’t exactly humming along. Meanwhile, the Raptors just welcomed back Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka, and they too are trying to rediscover themselves after a pair of tough losses. It could very well be anybody’s game this evening.
We know Lowry loves to play in Philly, and that he appears to be healthy and all the way back. We also know the Sixers are presumably hellbent on taking back their pride after that previous defeat (again, in which Embiid scored zero points). I’ve said that before about Philly’s squad, but maybe this time it’ll stick. In any case, those are two conflicting forces, hard at work.
To get up to speed, check out Dylan Litman’s Raptors-Sixers preview from this morning. Then get the updated game details below. And finally, let’s watch.
Where to Watch:
TSN 3/4 at 6pm EST
Lineups:
Toronto – Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol
Philadelphia – Ben Simmons, Furkan Korkmaz, Tobias Harris, Al Horford, Joel Embiid
Injuries:
Toronto – Stanley Johnson (out — groin), Matt Thomas (out — finger), Patrick McCaw (out — knee)
Philadelphia – Jonah Bolden (out — right Achilles), Josh Richardson (out — right hamstring), Zhaire Smith (out — leg), Matisse Thybulle (questionable — ankle)
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