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The 20-10 Sixers are in Tampa Bay for a two-game mini-series against the 15-15 Toronto Raptors, a one-season oddity played out during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here’s the gist for Sunday’s game:
- When: 7 p.m. ET with Sixers Pregame Live at 6 p.m.
- Or: Amalie Arena
- Broadcast: NBC Sports Philadelphia
- Direct: NBCSportsPhiladelphia.com and the MyTeams app
And here are three scenarios to watch:
Two returns for the Sixers?
Ben Simmons (illness) and Shake Milton (sprained left ankle) were listed as probable in Saturday night’s injury report. Milton appeared sharp during a practice session at the Wells Fargo Center ahead of the Sixers’ victory over the Bulls on Friday, and head coach Doc Rivers said he expected the 24-year-old to play on Sunday. The Sixers bench was again poor without Milton against Chicago, being edged 35-16 by the Bulls’ second unit.
Simmons had also been likely throughout the day before the Bulls game, then was ruled out about an hour before the report. Rivers said Wednesday that he believed Simmons had stomach flu.
Kyle Lowry has doubts because of a sprained left thumb. The Raptors have actually not lost a game without the Villanova legend since November 16, 2019 and are 5-0 when he sits this season. Another former Philadelphia college basketball star, St. Joseph product DeAndre ‘Bembry, started the Raptors’ last two games, victories over Milwaukee and Minnesota.
Embiid wants to stay stable
Before COVID-19 affected the daily rhythm of life in the NBA, Joel Embiid regularly chatted in his locker with Philadelphia basketball icon and Sixers executive adviser Sonny Hill. When asked Friday night after scoring 50 points, a career-high and 17 rebounds, if he was ever surprised, Embiid thought back to a nugget of wisdom from those discussions.
“No,” he said. “One thing the great Sonny Hill always told me – we used to talk all the time after games and before games; with COVID, that is not possible – he would always tell me, “I can’t go too high, I can’t go too low”. Sometimes I have big games. It feels like the last 15 or 20 games are all big games and all big numbers. But, if that’s what I need, then I’ll do it. … I play to win, so whatever the cost. If I’m the one who has to set up screens and open the guys up, pass the ball and lead the attack like I did in the last game when I had nine assists, that’s what I’m going to do. If it’s dominant and just score, that’s what I’m going to do.
“But I care more about the defensive end, and I’m pretty happy with what we did tonight, because defensively we haven’t been good the last two games. My goal is to be defensive player of the year. I care more about that ending and I’m glad we did a better job tonight.
Embiid is correct that each of his last games could be classified as “big”. The last time he scored less than 25 points in a competition was January 14. He had registered 45 points, 16 rebounds and five steals the game before, so it’s not like he has anything similar to ranged from a crisis again this season. While he could possibly get through a night of filming, his great offensive variety has so far made him immune.
Aron Baynes and Chris Boucher should be Embiid’s two main enemies in the frontcourt at Tampa Bay. He will look to capitalize on the advantages of agility over Baynes and size over Boucher, one of the most improved players in the NBA this year. Expect Toronto to overtake Team Embiid as much as possible.
A contrast of styles
The Sixers are second this season in average frame rate and 29th in three-point frequency, according to Cleaning the Glass. The Raptors have essentially the opposite shot profile, as they’re 28th in midrange and fourth in three-point frequency.
Since the Sixers have several very good midrange shooters, with Embiid the best of the field, their low three-point volume hasn’t cost them too many games. Still, Sunday’s game against Toronto stands out as one in which the Sixers opponent could have a huge advantage beyond the arc.
Fred VanVleet, who has been in a 50-point game this season (54 points from 23 field goal attempts against the Magic on February 2), certainly won’t be afraid to shoot far. He averaged 20.0 points, 6.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals in the first season of a four-year $ 85 million extension.
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