Game Day: Raptors vs. 76ers
Posted: Apr 12, 2016
Matt Tierney - Raptors.com
Toronto (54-26) will suit up in front of their home fans tonight for the final time this regular season when they welcome Philadelphia (10-70) to Air Canada Centre. The Raptors recorded a franchise-best 23rd road victory Sunday after holding off a determined Knicks team at Madison Square Garden. Despite another disappointing season, the Sixers continue to battle till the end, losing a hard-fought overtime game to Milwaukee two days ago.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Ish Smith – Smith has given this 76ers team a spark in his second go round in Philadelphia. After being acquired midseason from New Orleans, the 6’0” point guard is putting up 15 points, seven assists and four rebounds a game. He has also played well against the Raptors, averaging 17 points in their two matchups this season.
Jonas Valanciunas– JV is rounding into form just in time for the playoffs. He is averaging a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds over his last 10 games while also chipping in defensively with just fewer than three blocks a night. Expect Valanciunas to get a lot of touches tonight against a Philadelphia team who is thin in the frontcourt and are missing the services of starting centre Jahlil Okafor.
Raptors-Philadelphia 76ers: Tuesday game preview
Raptors have won 11 straight over Sixers and can complete the third straight season sweep with a win.
By: Doug Smith Sports Reporter, Published on Mon Apr 11 2016
AIR CANADA CENTRE
Tipoff: 7:30 p.m.
TV: TSN
Radio: TSN 1050
Probable starters Philadelphia — Ish Smith, Nik Stauskas, Jeremi Grant, Robert Covington, Nerlens Noel. Toronto — Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Norman Powell, Luis Scola, Jonas Valanciunas.
Key matchup:Nik Stauskas vs. Norman Powell.
Mostly for the fact Stauskas is the local kid — Mississauga — coming home, but a matchup between a former lottery pick still finding his way with his second team and a second-round draft pick in Powell has intriguing aspects.
Need to know: Toronto closes out its most successful home season in franchise history, 31-9 going into the game . . . Should be the first appearance at the Air Canada Centre since early January for Toronto’s DeMarre Carroll … The Sixers are 10-70 but have avoided tying for the worst season record in NBA history already … The Raptors have won 11 straight over the Sixers and can complete the third straight season sweep with a win.
Up next: Wednesday at Brooklyn, 8 p.m.