Game #7: Philadelphia 76ers 88 - Toronto Raptors 120

[Scraptor]

I haven't followed the 76ers that closely this season but I don't think they're a complete trainwreck; they seem to have hung with teams for a majority of games, they just can't finish the job. Like their last 2 losses are 2 points to the Magic and 3 points to the Bulls.

That's a testament to Brett Brown. If they avoid breaking any records for futility this season it'll be thanks to him.

Seriously, though, if we don't get Bruno and Bebe some minutes tonight I wonder if we'll see them at all until April (if then).

[chico]

Chicago lost to Boston without Rondo/Smart and the Grizzlies lost to the Bucks today.

Usually I'd say that means this win isn't guaranteed but we're first in the East so fuck it bring on the W

And the Spurs lost to the Pelicans. There are no gimmes in this league, so go at them Raptors!!!

[Hotshot]

And the Spurs lost to the Pelicans. There are no gimmes in this league, so go at them Raptors!!!

true, but playing the worst team in the league and having the majority of their starting lineup on the shelf is about as gimme as it gets.

[chico]

I don't want to sound cocky, but when we play down to our opponents for a surprise loss, we usually lose to bad NBA teams. I'm not sure this squad, without MCW and Noel, is an NBA team.

The 7-59 Bobcats had at least a few recognizable players like Kemba, Henderson, Augustin, fat Boris Diaw, Corey Maggette, and Tyrus Thomas.

This Sixers team, even healthy, is made up entirely of very young players and castoffs except for Mbah a Moute and a broken down JRich. Like they got rid of their only useful vets (Thad, Hawes, ET) and are just running with mostly a college team.

I honestly think they have a shot at breaking the Bobcats' worst-ever record, except later in the year MCW and Noel, with Brett Brown coaching might pull off a few upsets against teams sleeping in April. But by January there is going to be a lot of rage and contempt (far more than now) about what's happening in Philly this year. Hell if they don't beat Boston they could easily go 0-17 to start the season.

*basketball gods I mean no disrespect, please don't let us lose to this farce of a team

Crazy thing is they actually pushed the Bulls to the limit, scoring 115 pts on Thibs team! Mind you, the same Bulls team that lost to Boston.

[.40 Cal Flakes]

Hotshot let it be known that if Joey's win streak is broken and the Raps lose you will be banned to the Phantom Zone until at least the next Raptors win.

[planetmars]

true, but playing the worst team in the league and having the majority of their starting lineup on the shelf is about as gimme as it gets.

Last year the Raptors lost to a Lakers team that was pretty depleted (Gasol did play). They were at home, and the Raptors starters were all playing in that game.

[thead]

I forget where I saw it but someone pointed out that there are Euroleague teams with more NBA experience than the 76ers

[Hotshot]

Hotshot let it be known that if Joey's win streak is broken and the Raps lose you will be banned to the Phantom Zone until at least the next Raptors win.

The Phantom Zone?! damn that's going to be unpleasant just as much as watching the Raptors lose.

[.40 Cal Flakes]

The Phantom Zone?! damn that's going to be unpleasant just as much as watching the Raptors lose.

That would be the point lol.

[Joey]

Game #7: Philadelphia 76ers (0-6) @ Toronto Raptors (5-1); Sun. Nov 9th at 7PM on SN & NBATV

@

Probable Starters:

76ers	Raptors
PG Tony Wroten	PG Kyle Lowry
SG Hollis Thompson	SG Demar Derozan
SF Luc Mbah a Moute	SF Terrence Ross
PF JaKarr Sampson	PF Amir Johnson
C Henry Sims	C Jonas Valanciunas

Last Time we Met:
GAME #78 - APRIL 9, 2014 TORONTO 125, PHILADELPHIA 114
Jonas Valanciunas had 26 points and 12 rebounds to lift the Toronto Raptors to a 125-114 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers … Kyle Lowry led Toronto with 29 points in his first game back after missing three with a bruised kneecap … Patrick Patterson finished with 17 for the Raptors in their fourth straight victory and seventh in eight games … DeMar DeRozan added 17 points before leaving the game with a minute to play with a gash over his left eye … Toronto was missing starting forward Amir Johnson for the fourth straight game … Henry Sims scored 22 points, Michael Carter-Williams added 19, and Thaddeus Young finished with 16 for the Sixers … The Raptors led by only a point midway through the third quarter before taking a 98-89 advantage into the fourth … The Sixers trailed by just six points with 2:44 to play after Young made a 17-foot fadeaway jumper … Lowry proved once again how valuable he is down the stretch, making consecutive baskets to give the Raptors a 10-point lead with 1:52 to play.

Game Notes:


• The Toronto Raptors continue a seven-game homestand by hosting the Philadelphia 76ers at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors swept the season-series against Philadelphia for the first time in team history last year. Philadelphia native Kyle Lowry averaged 16.5 points and 10.5 assists against his hometown team in four meetings last season. Toronto has never won five straight games against the Sixers.
• Kyle Lowry earned his sixth career triple-double Nov. 7 vs. Washington (13 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) and fourth since joining the Raptors in 2012. Lowry passes Damon Stoudamire for the most triple-doubles in team history. Stoudamire recorded three triple-doubles between 1995-97. Marcus Camby (2) and Jose Calderon (2) are the only other players in team history to record multiple triple-doubles.
• Head coach Dwane Casey needs three wins to tie Lenny Wilkens (113) for second on the team’s all-time coaching
  victories list. In his fourth season with Toronto, Casey has a 109-126 (.464) record and is the longest tenured coach in the Atlantic division. Sam Mitchell holds the team record with 156 wins as Raptors head coach.
• DeMar DeRozan needs 45 points to pass Andrea Bargnani (6,581) for third place on the Raptors’ all-time scoring list. DeRozan already passed Morris Peterson (6,498) for fourth on the team’s all-time points list Nov. 5 at Boston. DeRozan has averaged 16.8 points in 388 NBA games (377 starts) since being selected ninth overall by the Raptors in the 2009 NBA Draft.
• DeMar DeRozan shot a perfect 11-for-11 at the free throw line November 7 vs. Washington. It was the fourth time he completed a game shooting perfect at the charity stripe with 10 or more attempts. DeRozan shot a career-best 14-for-14 at the free throw line February 3, 2013 vs. Miami.
• Toronto’s 5-1 record is the best start in franchise history. The Raptors are currently tied with Chicago (5-1) for first in the Eastern Conference. The last time Toronto was tied or alone in first place in the East was November 12, 2004. The Raptors were tied with four other teams – Indiana (4-2), Miami (4-2), Orlando (4-2) and Milwaukee (2-1). Toronto has never been atop the conference standings through seven games.
• The Raptors have an opportunity to improve to 4-0 when playing at Air Canada Centre. The last time Toronto started the home schedule 4-0 as 2003-04 when they began the year 5-0 on their home court. Since January 1, 2014 the Raptors are 24-7 (.774) in the regular season when playing at Air Canada Centre.
• Toronto is 5-0 this season when leading after three quarters. Dating back to the start of last season the Raptors are now 38-2 when ahead entering the fourth, including a perfect 23-0 at Air Canada Centre. Toronto has won 30 straight games when leading after three quarters.

Keys to the Game:

+ It's Philly ... just don't mess it up!
+ Keep Wroten in Check
+ Defense


Key Match-Ups

vs.

Jonas should be able to have his way down low.

Lets Go Raptors!!

[Joey]

OH whoops .. just created one. Didn't see this.

[2kfeen]

we absolutely need to capitalize on these gimmees to gain respect among the league

people were calling us a 6th seed coming into this season, saying that wizards, heat and hornets are better than us

we have been playing down to our opponents so far this season, but if we want to show that we have 50+ win season potential, we have to beat garbage opponents like this with our starters for the first 2.5 quarters, and let the bench play the rest of the game

playing garbage for the first 3 quarters won't work against good western conference teams, we have to play competitive basketball for 48 minutes.

[Mack North]

OH whoops .. just created one. Didn't see this.

Glad you got yours in there. Should be a wrap!

[MACK11]

This should be a win since we're playing a D-league squad but the raptors are notoriously known to play down to the opposition

[007]

OH whoops .. just created one. Didn't see this.

Ahahaha. Don't worry. If we win, it's your streak. If we lose, it's Hotshot's fault.