Raptors Cage

Game Day Preview: Raptors host lowly 76ers

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Courtesy of nbafunnymeme.com
Courtesy of nbafunnymeme.com

The Toronto Raptors look to build on their early season fortunes as they host the winless Philadelphia 76ers Sunday night (7:00 p.m. EST) at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto (5-1) defeated a promising Eastern Conference contender, Washington (5-2), 103-84 on Friday and now will battle a team that has recently set the benchmark for futility. Barring any unforeseen roster additions from the heavens, Philadelphia (0-6) is my lock pick to win the 2015 NBA lottery. I imagine when coach Dwane Casey received the 2014-15 schedule and saw the four contests against the 76ers, he just automatically chalked up a season sweep. I wouldn’t expect the contrary. They are terrible but will be good someday…someday.

Cage’s Keys to the Game:

Take them seriously

Protect the Rock:

The Raptors lead the association in limiting turnovers per game (9.3) thanks in large part to guards Kyle Lowry and Greivis Vasquez along with forwards Amir Johnson and Patrick Patterson. The aforementioned have stellar assist to turnover ratios and will combat an outfit that ranks near the top in forcing turnovers (18.8). For all the justifiably negative remarks I made about Philadelphia, they do in fact have athletic and opportunistic guards in Tony Wroten and Michael Carter-Williams. Wroten is a notorious swiper (3.0 SPG) and is second to Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors in steals. Expect coach Casey to preach limiting risky transition passes in the early going.

Pound the Glass:

Guess who ranks 30th overall in rebounds per game? You guessed it! I took a look at Philadelphia’s forwards and actually laughed out loud. Brandon Davies, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (he’s ok actually), Chris Johnson, Malcolm Thomas, and JaKarr Sampson? Rookie Nerlens Noel is the lone positive for the 76ers but his status is questionable for Sunday’s game. The Raptors are by no means a dominant rebounding team (39.7 RPG) but the tandem of Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas should be able to capitalize against Philadelphia’s weak rim protection.

Start off Strong:

Friday night against Washington, Toronto outscored Washington 59-35 in the opening half. The Wizards missed their first eight field goal attempts in the opening quarter due to aggressive defense and an energized crowd. The Raptors will not be wearing their retro purple jerseys in tonight’s match but the confidence and intensity needs to carry over to the early minutes. You don’t want to be trailing a team that is hungry for their first W of the season.

X-Factor: Kyle Lowry

The no brainer. Lowry was astounding in Friday’s win as he recorded a triple double with 13 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. It wasn’t his most efficient outing (5-13 FG, 2-6 3P) but his efforts were a significant factor in the victory. The 28-year-old is making a case for early season MVP nods with his strong play and team success. Count on the former Villanova Wildcat to be all systems go against his hometown team.

 

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