Well, it’s official. After a vigorous campaign by MLSE and the Toronto Raptors organization, Kyle Lowry has been voted in as a starter for the 2015 All-Star game. #NBABallot.
With that distraction out of the way, the Raptors can focus on taking care of business against the weak Philadelphia 76ers tonight at Wells Fargo Center.
When these teams met a little more than a week ago, Toronto emerged with a 100-84 win. The Raptors will look to repeat that outcome—perhaps, in an even more convincing fashion.
Listen to the game live at 7:00 p.m ET on Sportsnet 590 The FAN.
Major Storyline 1: Don’t let up. Last time these division rivals squared off, the final score didn’t tell the whole story. The game looked like a comfortable Raptors’ win, but after opening up a 15-point lead at the end of the first quarter, Toronto allowed Philadelphia to trim the lead to four by halftime. If the Raptors can keep their foot on the gas pedal, they should have the opportunity to run the Sixers out of the gym—and give Lowry some much-needed rest.
Major Storyline 2: Play your own game. Part of the reason Toronto couldn’t bury Philly in that last meeting was because they matched the Sixers sloppy style of play. Running a high-tempo offence with high-risk passes is not how the Raptors succeed. Toronto must make their opponents adjust to their pace, not vice versa.
Major Storyline 3: More frees than threes. The entire Toronto roster struggled offensively against the Grizzlies on Wednesday, shooting 32 percent from the field overall. The numbers from beyond the three-point line were even more horrific as the team connected on only five of 28 attempts from long distance. With such an abysmal performance, the Raptors relied on their free-throw shooting to keep them in the game. If Dwane Casey’s group can’t find an early rhythm, they could do worse than to start attacking the bucket and drawing fouls.
Marquee Player to Watch, Toronto: DeMar DeRozan. Before DeRozan went down with a groin tear at the end of November, the 2014 all-star was shooting below 40 percent from the field. In his first three games back from injury, he showed immense improvement, shooting a combined 27-of-40, but that efficiency has disappeared over the past two outings as he has converted on only two of his 18 attempts. Perhaps tonight’s matchup can get DeRozan’s game moving in the right direction.
Marquee Player to Watch, Philadelphia: Michael Carter-Williams. With Tony Wroten sidelined, Carter-Williams remains the only consistent threat on the 76ers’ roster. On Jan. 14 at the Air Canada Centre, the six-foot-six point guard torched the Raptors for 29 points. If Toronto can keep Carter-Williams under wraps, this game should be over early. If not, watch out.
Role Player Who Will Make a Difference, Toronto: Greivis Vasquez. With the move to a dual-point guard starting lineup, the tendency can be to increase the tempo due to the extra ball handler on the floor. That is not where the Raptors are at their best, so one of Vasquez’s responsibilities will be helping to keep the pace of the game under control.
Role Player Who Will Make a Difference, Philadelphia: Jerami Grant. A rookie out of Syracuse, Grant has already proven he is athletic enough to compete against NBA talent. Facing the New York Knicks on Wednesday evening, Grant amassed an eye-popping eight blocks in just under 25 minutes of run. What must come next in the 20-year-old’s development is the polish that will allow him to outmanoeuvre opponents instead of simply out-jumping them. If Nerlens Noel sits out a second straight game with illness, Grant will get some extra burn tonight.
Season series vs. 76ers: Raptors lead 2-0
Raptors Stats Leaders:
Points: Kyle Lowry (19.8)
Rebounds: Jonas Valanciunas (8.6)
Assists: Kyle Lowry (7.5)
76ers Stats Leaders:
Points: Tony Wroten (16.9)
Rebounds: Nerlens Noel (7.2)
Assists: Michael Carter-Williams (7.1)
Verdict: Even through the recent slump, Toronto is the superior team, as Philadelphia is very clearly building for the future. So long as they play within themselves, the Raptors should be able to dispatch the 76ers for the third time this season tonight in Pennsylvania.