Philadelphia 76ers (3-11)
vs.
Toronto Raptors (5-9)
TV: Comcast SportsNet, NBA League Pass Channel 5
Tip Time: 7:00 PM EDT
Location: Air Canada Centre (my personal favorite arena name)
Vegas Line: 5.5 (Raptors)
Previous Meeting: Raptors 94 - Sixers 86
Mortal Enemies of the Night: Raptors HQ
76ers vs Raptors coverage
According to Toronto's own k-Os, there are zero superstars in this game...
Some preview-ish thoughts after the jump.
This is the first time the new-look Raptors will take the court. On Saturday, they completed a trade that sent former starting point guard Jarrett Jack, Australia's favorite David Andersen, and MVP candidate Marcus Banks to New Orleans for the now well-traveled Jerryd Bayless and the Peja heads. This is great news for combo-guard Bayless as he'll finally get some burn now that he's no longer behind the likes of Chris Paul or Andre Miller.
The last time these two met, Andrea Bargnani and Sonny Weems combined for 55 of their 94 points. Bargnani was drilling all sorts of jumpers and turnarounds without any sort of fear that he'd miss. Considering he shot 67% (12-18), I'll say his mindset was justified. While not as good as Bargnani, Weems was also able to score at will as he too was over 50% from the floor on as many shots. Allowing a pair of opponents to shoot a combined 61% on 36 shots is not in the "How-to-Win-a-Game" handbook. I'd know, I wrote it.
Who else is on the Raptors? REG! REGINALD EVANS! Is it fate that I keep getting to post the threads against him? In a word, yes.
The Sixers are, as we all are aware I'm sure, coming off another collapse in the District. The last time they suffered a heartbreaker in Washington, the Sixers came out swinging and blew out the Pacers in Philadelphia. Tonight could certainly have the same outcome as before considering the Raptors aren't exactly the best of teams in the NBA today (although they did just knock off the Rondo-less Celtics).
We'll be without Elton Brand tonight as he will be serving his one-game suspension for his shove on Javale McGee last night. Last week, the Sixers gave the ball to Brand and attacked Reg from the get-go so it should be a fun time seeing what the game plan will look like in round two.
So who will fill in for EB in the starting rotation? Well, after his impressive boxscore last night, I'd like to see Mareesse Speights take Brand's spot in the starting line-up, but wouldn't be shocked if Doug Collins chose Thaddeus Young instead.
Game starts at 7:00 PM gents! If you'd rather watch the Magic and Heat, I'll understand. If you'd rather go to the bar and drown your sorrows in Four Loko, I'll understand. If you'd rather go to Phoenix with your girlfriend to visit family, I'll understand.
If you don't thread it, you don't get it. I'm not sure what "it" is.
PS - if Peja somehow gets in the game and makes a shot, you are required to post pictures of the Peja heads in the comments. That is all.