Storylines to watch for early-season Sixers-Raptors rematch originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Unlike the Sixers, the Raptors didn’t have to wait long to face the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last season.
While the Sixers won’t see the Heat until Feb. 27, Toronto (2-2) will host the 1-3 Sixers for a two-game mini-series Wednesday and Friday.
The first matchup tips off Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Philadelphia. Here are storylines to watch:
Embiid vs. Raptors (and Raptors fans)
The last time Joel Embiid and the Sixers visited Toronto, the night was nearly perfect. They cruised to a 35-point Game 6 win in their first-round series, eliminating the Raptors on their home floor.
But, with a little under four minutes remaining, Pascal Siakam elbowed Embiid in the face on a drive. Embiid suffered an orbital fracture and concussion. He ultimately returned to action with the Sixers in an 0-2 series hole against the Heat.
While the play doesn’t appear to have fostered any deep animosity toward Siakam for Embiid, he was displeased with how Toronto fans treated him during the series.
“I don’t think it was intentional,” Embiid said on May 6 of Siakam’s elbow. “That’s my guy, obviously. It’s unfortunate. I don’t think he meant to do it. I was more irritated by the perception when that happened — really, their fans. I’ve always thought they had great fans, but it kind of changed my mind about their fans up there — the F-chants and all that stuff.
“That’s cool; it never gets to me anyways. I think they got mad because I did the airplane celebration. It’s been going on in a few arenas these days where the fans, they just feel like it’s OK to just say, ‘F somebody.’ There’s a bunch of kids in the arena. I don’t think that should be OK — even if there weren’t kids.
“But if you respond to it, it’s almost like the Draymond (Green) situation — the league fines you. It doesn’t bother me. I’m just speaking, really, for everybody in the NBA. And like I’ve said, if you give it, you’ve also got to be able to take it. And I’ve said it about our fans, too, when they boo. If the players are going to go back, you’ve got to be able to take it, too.”
Injury watch
The Sixers listed De’Anthony Melton as questionable with right adductor tightness. He participated in the Sixers’ Wednesday shootaround, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey. If Melton does not play, Shake Milton would be a logical candidate to receive a bit more time.
Otto Porter Jr. (left hamstring tightness) was officially doubtful. He’s yet to make his Raptors debut. Rookie of the Year winner Scottie Barnes was questionable with a right ankle sprain.
Toronto is a very similar team personnel-wise to last postseason, although 7-foot rookie Christian Koloko is a notable newcomer. The Arizona product started Monday night in Barnes’ place for the Raptors’ win over the Heat, while Precious Achiuwa played 34 minutes off the bench and pulled down a career-high 22 rebounds. We imagine Embiid will be aware that Koloko committed five fouls in his 18 minutes.
Per NBA Communications, if Embiid, Koloko and Siakam all start, they’ll be the first trio of Cameroonian players to ever do so in an NBA game. All three participated in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders Africa program.
NBA Communications
Pace paramount
The Raptors’ desire to play fast is no secret. Thus far, they’ve been much better at it than the Sixers.
According to Cleaning the Glass, Toronto has added a league-best 7.6 points per 100 possessions through transition play. The Sixers, meanwhile, have allowed opponents to add 7.5 points per 100 possessions through transition. That ranks last in the NBA.
On top of not conceding as extreme a transition disparity as those numbers suggest they might, the Sixers will hope to carry over the brisker half-court style they showed Monday in beating the Pacers.
“Tonight I really tried to be unselfish, make sure the ball was moving,” Embiid said. “Watching our games, I just feel like we’re not moving the ball enough and we’re walking the ball up. So I’ve just really got to make sure we play with pace, and make sure we’re being unselfish and everybody touches the ball.”
