Philadelphia 76ers vs Toronto Raptors preview, Digi Mart USA News: The Sixers will not need to wait long for an opportunity to move past their most lopsided loss of the season. Less than 48 hours after Boston’s 123-101 win exposed several of Philadelphia’s early weaknesses, Philadelphia will host the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
The Raptors are coming off a difficult meeting with the Celtics, too. Toronto led Boston by 22 points Wednesday before being outscored 61-34 over the final 29:24 of a 98-93 loss.
Philadelphia enters at 9-3 following Tuesday’s defeat, while Toronto is 5-6 and will complete a back-to-back and its third game in four nights.
LeBron James has been ruled out because of low-back and sciatica management. Joel Embiid is questionable with right plantar fascia injury management.
Toronto will be without Kawhi Leonard, Scottie Barnes and Nate Bittle.
Pressure and turnovers
Few teams have forced opponents into mistakes as frequently as Toronto. The Raptors have generated 18.9 turnovers per game, the highest mark in the NBA, while averaging 10.9 steals and nearly 15 offensive rebounds.
The Sixers have countered that pressure well, committing 13.0 turnovers per game, which is tied for one of the lowest marks in the league.
Toronto’s length remains disruptive even without Leonard and Barnes. The Raptors regularly crowd ball handlers, reach into passing lanes and send multiple players toward the offensive glass.
Jakob Poeltl supplies size inside, while RJ Barrett, Ja’Kobe Walter and Collin Murray-Boyles can create problems away from the ball. Philadelphia has largely avoided those mistakes while adjusting to a new lineup and playing at a quicker pace.
Transition scoring
Toronto has not built its offense around half-court shooting. The Raptors are averaging 49.6 paint points and 16.4 fast-break points, and even while shorthanded Wednesday, they scored 18 points in transition against Boston.
That presents a direct test for a Sixers defense allowing 16.5 fast-break points per game, the fourth-highest figure in the NBA. Philadelphia has also surrendered 49.5 paint points per contest.
The Sixers have been effective in transition themselves, averaging 17.1 fast-break points. Maxey and VJ Edgecombe can change ends quickly after a stop, but Philadelphia must secure the ball first.
Thursday’s game could swing on which team gets to run and which one is forced to create against a set defense.
Three-point shooting
Toronto provided an extreme example Wednesday of how quickly the three-point line can alter a game. The Raptors entered their matchup against Boston shooting 31.8 percent from beyond the arc, then hit 10 of 18 attempts in the first quarter, tying a franchise record for threes in a period.
They went 6 for 25 over the final three quarters. After Wednesday, Toronto is shooting 32.4 percent from three this season.
Walter made five threes Wednesday and scored a team-high 17 points. Rookie Allen Graves added 13 points, while Quickley, Barrett and Jamison Battle are all willing shooters when the ball reaches them in rhythm.
The Sixers were late on several closeouts against Boston and must avoid allowing uncovered catch-and-shoot attempts.
Rest and early pace
The Raptors expended significant energy Wednesday before traveling to Philadelphia. They scored 38 first-quarter points, built a 22-point lead and then watched Boston erase the entire margin before the end of the third quarter.
Quickley and Barrett each played more than 31 minutes, while Poeltl and Walter both played at least 29. The Sixers should have the fresher legs.
Philadelphia has averaged 26.3 first-quarter points with a minus-2.2 scoring margin in opening periods. Slow starts have forced the Sixers to play from behind several times, including in their 29-point comeback against Cleveland.
An aggressive start would help Philadelphia respond quickly after a draining loss.
Adjustments without James
James’ absence will require an adjustment. Maxey, Brown and Anfernee Simons should handle more of the ball and more of the decisions that come with initiating the offense.
If Embiid plays, the Sixers can make Toronto work through Poeltl by establishing him inside. If Embiid sits, Philadelphia’s size concerns will become more pronounced with Adem Bona, Dominick Barlow and Ariel Hukporti also unavailable.
The Sixers have a rest advantage against a depleted opponent coming off an emotional loss. Their response should begin well before the fourth quarter.
