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Gameday: Raptors vs 76ers, October 4

Buckle up y'all! That long offseason will be succeeded by an equally as long, if not longer, regular season. The Raptors kick off their 2021-22 season against the Ben Simmons-less Philadelphia 76ers.

Can you feel that?

It’s the sensation of Raptors basketball returning. The post-Kyle Lowry-era is officially underway and after a franchise-altering offseason, there’s still just as many questions going into Toronto’s 2021-22 campaign as there were going into the Summer. The only difference is the questions themselves:

  • Why is Toronto better equipped to compete this year in comparison to last year?
  • How does Nick Nurse and co. plan on improving from last year?
  • What will the Raptors first season playing at home in 1.5 years feel like?

SPOILER ALERT!!

It’s going to be a season filled with ups and downs. It’s going to be great and it’s going to be frustrating. You’re going to see Scottie Barnes impress with the flashes of what he hopes to become one day, you’ll witness OG Anunoby continue to blossom into one the league’s premier two-way players, and the emergence of Fred VanVleet, within his role as the undisputed leader of Canada’s sole NBA team will be on full display. All of these things will be under the microscope throughout the year. Now with that being said, it might not be as bad as the early 2010s, but just understand that this season won’t be anything like the ones we had between 2014 and 2020. The teams identity is also going to be a recurring storyline and I’d actually make the argument that it’s the same way for the other 29 too. Keeping that in mind, it no other team is melting the way that the Philadelphia 76ers are.

Currently embroiled in one ugly-ass and ongoing divorce with one, Ben Simmons, the 76ers organization has been one of the hottest and exhausting reality television series over the Summer. Fresh off a playoff loss to Atlanta, Daryl Morey and Doc Rivers chose to instantly seek trades for Simmons after his non-shooting woes continued and many have even argued that it categorically cost Philly their postseason.

Maybe if Morey wasn’t asking for the infinity gauntlet in exchange for the point guard he has tried so hard to trade, Simmons could be reporting to training camp right now for his new team. But, hey. That’s just me. Seriously though, Philadelphia is not going to be better without Simmons. This is a scenario where if the 76ers want to take three steps forward, they’ll have to take two steps backwards.

Protect the paint

Joel Embiid averaged 24 points and 15 boards against Toronto last season. However, he also shot 32% from the field and 30% from the three so those numbers are inflated. Maybe it’s a good thing that he’s out. I don’t foresee a Tobias Harris-double team as something viable for tonight. No one else on the 76ers is of any concern to the Raptors and it’ll be even easier to pickup the W with the Sixers being so vulnerable. As long the Raptors execute on defense, everything should be gravy.

Mind games

Look, Philly is fragile right now. Their confidence is waning and their entire roster is shook because of how their Summer has gone. Team morale is at an all-time low and I’m not sure where they rank on the NBAs hierarchy. I can’t group them with Milwaukee, Brooklyn, and Atlanta because I have no idea what the roster is going to look like in two weeks, but I’m very doubtful in Morey’s ability to land a star player. Toronto is on the opposite end of that spectrum, where everyone seems to be singing Kumbaya, even Goran Dragic, who’s bound to become a fan favourite in my opinion.

Flow freely

This is a great game to test out different offensive options but if you’re Nick Nurse, that’s the case every game. Toronto should be willing to explore their offensive versatility just as much as they would their defensive versatility. Just as the potential is high guarding the ball, it’s just as high scoring it.

Game Info

Tip-Off: Monday, October 4, 7 P.M. ET | TV: SN

Toronto’s Lineup

Pascal Siakam (shoulder), Khem Birch (COVID-19), Gary Trent (quadriceps) and Chris Boucher (finger) are out.

PG: Fred VanVleet, Malachi Flynn, Goran Dragic

SG: Svi Mykhailiuk, Sam Dekkar, Justin Champagnie, David Johnson

SF: OG Anunoby, Dalano Banton, Isaac Bonga

PF: Scottie Barnes, Yuta Watanabe, Ish Wainwright

C: Precious Achiuwa, Freddie Gillespie

Philadelphia’s Lineup

Ben Simmons is not with the team. Joel Embiid (rest) is out.

PG: Tyrese Maxey, Shake Milton, Grant Riller, Lamar Peters

SG: Seth Curry, Furkan Korkmaz, Jaden Springer

SF: Danny Green, Matisse Thybulle

PF: Tobias Harris, Georges Niang, Paul Reed

C: Andre Drummond, Charles Bassey

The Line

There aren’t any official odds yet but I’ll update you as the day goes on. I would say that the Raptors win by no more than 8 points. I’ve set my over/under to 155.