Joel Embiid Is Questionable vs Raptors In First Game of Back-to-Back
By Dylan MacKinnon
For the third game in a row, Joel Embiid is questionable to play with back soreness. Embiid was also questionable vs the Mavericks and Cavaliers. In both games, he played for over 30 minutes, scored over 30pts, and shot over 50% from the field. Tonight’s game vs the Raptors is the first game of a back-to-back. This is one of 3 bac0 to-backs they have left over the final 15 games.
It feels repetitive to keep bringing it up, but Doc Rivers has said he intends to get Embiid, James Harden, and Tyrese Maxey in the final 15 games this season. If he was going to stick to that, it would make sense to get one of them rest on the front half of a back-to-back before they play the Heat. The last time the Sixers played a back-to-back, Doc Rivers gave James Harden rest in the second game. They ended up losing that game 99-82.
The Sixers are coming off perhaps their most impressive win since James Harden joined the team. They beat the Mavericks 111-101. A Mavericks team that was on a 13-3 stretch coming into the game. The Sixers starters were a combined 29-55 (.527), and 11-24 (.458) from 3pt range.
Meanwhile, they held MVP candidate Luka Doncic to just 17pts on 5 of 20 shooting. It was only the 7th time all year Luka was held under 20 pts. Coming off such a strong performance, it would be possible Doc Rivers does not want to mess with the momentum they have. But as we have done in almost every game, we will have to wait until the lineup is announced to see if tonight will be the game Rivers gives one of his guys rest.
For the Raptors, Fred VanVleet (Knee), OG Anunoby (Finger), and Malachi Flynn (Hamstring) are out for tonight’s game. They come into this game on a 7-4 stretch. Our coverage of the game starts at 8:20 pm with the Pre-Game show hosted by Devon Givens. Then Tom McGinnis is on the call starting at 8:30.
