Four Things To Watch As Sixers Look To Respond Against Raptors

Four things to watch as Sixers look to respond against Raptors originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers will not need to wait long for an opportunity to move past their most lopsided loss of the season.

Less than 48 hours after Boston’s 123-101 win exposed several of Philadelphia’s early weaknesses, the Sixers will host the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

The Raptors are coming off a difficult meeting with the Celtics, too. Toronto led Boston by 22 points Wednesday before being outscored 61-34 over the final 29:24 of a 98-93 loss.

Philadelphia enters at 9-3 following Tuesday’s defeat. Toronto is 5-6 and will complete a back-to-back and its third game in four nights.

LeBron James has been ruled out because of low-back and sciatica management. Joel Embiid is questionable with right plantar fascia injury management. Toronto will be without Kawhi Leonard, Scottie Barnes and Nate Bittle.

Here are four areas to watch as the Sixers try to respond.

The possession battle

Few teams have forced opponents into mistakes as frequently as Toronto.

The Raptors have generated 18.9 turnovers per game, the highest mark in the NBA. They are also averaging 10.9 steals and nearly 15 offensive rebounds.

The Sixers have countered that type of pressure well. Their 13.0 turnovers per game are tied for one of the lowest marks in the league.

Something will have to give.

Toronto’s length remains disruptive even without Leonard and Barnes. The Raptors regularly crowd ball handlers, reach into passing lanes and send multiple players toward the offensive glass. Jakob Poeltl supplies size inside while RJ Barrett, Ja’Kobe Walter and Collin Murray-Boyles can create problems away from the ball.

The Raptors’ pressure can punish a careless pass twice. It takes away a Sixers possession and gives Toronto an opportunity to score before the defense gets organized.

Philadelphia has largely avoided those mistakes while adjusting to a new lineup and playing at a quicker pace. Maintaining that control without James, who has handled a significant share of the playmaking, will be one of Thursday’s clearest challenges.

Keeping Toronto out of the open floor

Toronto has not built its offense around half-court shooting.

The Raptors are averaging 49.6 paint points and 16.4 fast-break points. Even while shorthanded Wednesday, they scored 18 points in transition against Boston.

That presents a direct test for a Sixers defense allowing 16.5 fast-break points per game, the fourth-highest figure in the NBA. Philadelphia has also surrendered 49.5 paint points per contest.

The first concern will be slowing the ball.

Immanuel Quickley returned Wednesday after missing two games with right hamstring soreness. He gives Toronto another guard capable of attacking early in the shot clock, while Barrett has consistently looked to get downhill with Leonard and Barnes unavailable.

Poeltl can create scoring chances without having a play called for him. He runs the floor, screens for Toronto’s guards, rolls toward the rim and cleans up misses.

The Sixers have been effective in transition themselves, averaging 17.1 fast-break points. Maxey and VJ Edgecombe can change ends quickly after a stop, but Philadelphia must secure the ball first.

Thursday’s game could swing on which team gets to run and which one is forced to create against a set defense.

Another unpredictable night from three?

Toronto provided an extreme example Wednesday of how quickly the three-point line can alter a game.

The Raptors entered their matchup against Boston shooting 31.8 percent from beyond the arc. They proceeded to hit 10 of their 18 attempts in the first quarter, tying a franchise record for threes in a period.

They went 6 for 25 over the final three quarters.

After Wednesday, Toronto is shooting 32.4 percent from three this season. The Sixers should not treat the Raptors like an elite perimeter team. They also cannot allow them to find early confidence through uncovered catch-and-shoot attempts.

Walter made five threes Wednesday and scored a team-high 17 points. Rookie Allen Graves added 13 points, while Quickley, Barrett and Jamison Battle are all willing shooters when the ball reaches them in rhythm.

Philadelphia’s problems against Boston extended beyond the Celtics making difficult shots. The Sixers were late on several closeouts and occasionally allowed too much separation while navigating screens.

Toronto does not rely on the three as heavily as Boston. Wednesday showed it can still build a lead quickly when those shots start falling.

Using the schedule advantage

The Raptors expended significant energy Wednesday before traveling to Philadelphia.

They scored 38 first-quarter points, built a 22-point lead and then watched Boston erase the entire margin before the end of the third quarter. Quickley and Barrett each played more than 31 minutes. Poeltl and Walter both played at least 29.

The Sixers should have the fresher legs. Whether they take advantage could become apparent early.

Philadelphia has averaged 26.3 first-quarter points with a minus-2.2 scoring margin in opening periods. Slow starts have forced the Sixers to play from behind several times, including in their 29-point comeback against Cleveland.

An aggressive start would make Toronto respond quickly after a draining loss. Maxey and Edgecombe can apply pressure by pushing the ball after defensive rebounds instead of allowing the Raptors to set their pressure defense.

James’ absence will require an adjustment. Maxey, Brown and Anfernee Simons should handle more of the ball and more of the decisions that come with initiating the offense.

If Embiid plays, the Sixers can make Toronto work through Poeltl by establishing him inside. If Embiid sits, Philadelphia’s size concerns will become more pronounced with Adem Bona, Dominick Barlow and Ariel Hukporti also unavailable.

The Sixers have a rest advantage against a depleted opponent coming off an emotional loss. Their response should begin well before the fourth quarter.