The Sixers come into this one relatively healthy while the Raptors have a couple big names out of the lineup Tuesday.
The Philadelphia 76ers will host the Toronto Raptors to start a back-to-back series before heading to Brooklyn to take on the Nets.
The Sixers are reeling from several disappointing losses, the latest against a Milwaukee Bucks team missing Giannis Antetokounmpo. Currently, they sit 1.5 games out of the final play-in spot in the East and trail the last playoff spot by 6.5 games. With time running out, these next two games are crucial for keeping postseason hopes alive.
With both Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid back in action, the duo hasn’t missed a beat, combining for 66 points in their last game. However, they didn’t get enough support to secure a win. Paul George, in particular, has struggled since returning from his finger injury, averaging just 11.7 points, 2.7 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 30.5 minutes per game. If the Sixers hope to turn things around, they’ll need more production from George and contributions from the rest of the roster.
The Sixers’ struggles have been largely due to their defense, which has been among the league’s worst. In February alone, they ranked in the bottom five in defensive rating, a key factor in their recent slump.
Head coach Nick Nurse confirmed that everyone on the Sixers participated in Monday morning’s practice, except for Kyle Lowry, Eric Gordon and Jared McCain. With a back-to-back ahead, it’ll be interesting to see how the team manages Paul George and Joel Embiid’s availability.
The Toronto Raptors have had an unusual season. Many expected this to be a transition year as they retooled around rising star Scottie Barnes. While injuries have kept key players sidelined and wins have been hard to come by, their recent trade for Brandon Ingram suggests they may be aiming to compete sooner rather than later. Ingram has yet to make his Raptors debut, but the team still features promising young talents like Immanuel Quickley and Gradey Dick.
RJ Barrett (concussion protocol) and Jakob Poeltl (right hip pointer) will also be out of the lineup for Toronto.
The Sixers have a great opportunity to pick up not just one win, but two, in this favorable back-to-back stretch. Let’s see if they can start it off on the right foot.
Game details
When: Tuesday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m. EST
Where: The Center, Philadelphia, PA
Watch: NBC Philly
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers