Raptors-76ers Preview

By NOEY KUPCHAN
Posted Nov 19 2012 2:08PM

While the Philadelphia 76ers have held their own thus far, steady production from Evan Turner could make them all the more formidable.

Turner and the 76ers try for their third straight win overall and sixth in seven games against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night.

After opening this five-game homestand with back-to-back losses, Philadelphia (6-4) improved to 3-3 at the Wells Fargo Center with a pair of wins over the weekend. Turner had 11 points in a 99-93 victory over Utah on Friday before recording 19 points, a career-high nine assists and six rebounds in the 76ers' 86-79 win over Cleveland on Sunday.

Despite going 8 of 12 from the field Sunday, Turner is shooting a career-low 40.8 percent. More efficient efforts could go a long way for Philadelphia, which is 4-0 when Turner makes at least 45.0 percent from the floor.

"Evan shows flashes," coach Doug Collins said. "I told him: `Stop putting so much pressure on yourself.' Evan is a perfectionist. He works harder in the offseason than anybody else on the team. He puts a high ceiling on himself. I want him to enjoy playing."

While the 76ers rank near the bottom of the NBA with 88.9 points per contest, they're one of the top defensive teams in the league. Philadelphia's 90.1 points allowed ranks in the top five.

"The most important thing is we pull together through the grind," Turner said. "Camaraderie and chemistry is key."

The 76ers have been very stingy against Toronto (3-7) of late, surrendering an average of 84.3 points while going 5-1 in the last six matchups. Turner had eight points and 12 rebounds in a 93-83 road win Nov. 10, while helping to limit the Raptors to 38.0 percent shooting.

One night after falling 107-89 at Boston, Toronto bounced back Sunday with a 97-86 victory over Orlando. With starting point guard Kyle Lowry still sidelined, Jose Calderon had nine points and a season-best 18 assists for the Raptors, who scored 30 in the fourth quarter to match their season high.

"Jose is a leader," coach Dwane Casey said. "I cannot say enough about how much I respect his game, his leadership and his heart."

DeMar DeRozan scored 20 points while Andrea Bargnani and Amir Johnson added 17 and 15, respectively.

"It's important, we need to get those guys rolling and sometimes you have to give them easy shots at the beginning to get them comfortable and feeling confident," said Calderon, averaging 13.0 assists in his last five games.

The Raptors have struggled on the road this season, dropping four of five while averaging 91.0 points - 10.2 below their home mark.

Toronto avoided a third straight loss at Philadelphia with a 99-78 victory April 4. The Raptors have taken nine of the last 13 matchups there.

Bargnani, who scored 23 points against the 76ers earlier this month, has averaged 23.2 in six games against Philadelphia since the start of 2010-11 - his second-highest mark against any Eastern Conference foe in that span.

Richardson, Young lead 76ers over Raptors

By ROB MAADDI
Posted Nov 21 2012 1:08AM

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Jason Richardson scored six of his 21 points late in the fourth quarter, Nick Young had 23 off the bench and the Philadelphia 76ers rallied to beat the Toronto Raptors 106-98 on Tuesday night.

Jrue Holiday had 19 points and 12 assists and Thad Young scored 18 to help the Sixers win their third straight game.

DeMar DeRozan had 24 and Andrea Bargnani scored 22 for the Raptors, who are off to a 3-8 start. Jose Calderon, who had a season-high 18 assists in Toronto's win over Orlando on Sunday night, got 12 more to go with 13 points.

Down 87-80 early in the fourth, the Sixers came back to win their first game in which they trailed after three quarters. Nick Young's 3-pointer got Philadelphia to 92-89 with 5:11 left. After Richardson and Dorell Wright missed 3s that would've tied it, Young nailed another 3 to make it 92-all.

The teams traded baskets before Richardson scored on a driving layup, got fouled and made the free throw for a 99-96 lead with 1:54 remaining.

Richardson extended the lead to 102-96 with his fourth 3, and the Raptors didn't get any closer in the final minute.

For a while, it seemed the Raptors were going to run away with it.

After Holiday's dunk put the Sixers up 65-64 midway through the third quarter, Toronto scored 12 straight points. Bargnani started the run with a 16-footer and finished it off with a 3-pointer, giving the Raptors an 11-point lead that was the largest for either team.

But the Sixers answered in the fourth.

The Raptors built a 10-point lead early and led the entire first half until Philadelphia went on an 18-8 run late in the second quarter. Richardson hit a 3-pointer and scored on a fast-break layup off a steal to get the Sixers to 46-44.

Holiday hit a 3-pointer to give Philadelphia its first lead, 51-48, with 30 seconds left in the half. Calderon answered with a 3 to tie it going into the locker rooms.

NOTES: Richardson left the game briefly to be treated for a bruise after Kyle Lowry inadvertently stepped on his face in the third quarter. ... Lowry, who went to nearby Villanova, returned after missing six games with a foot injury. ... The Sixers completed a five-game homestand, going 3-2. ... The Raptors began a stretch of 10 of 12 games on the road. They are 1-5 away from home this season. ... Toronto visits Charlotte on Wednesday night. The Raptors already have three wins on the second night of back-to-back games. They were 4-16 in those situations last year. ... The Sixers were 0-4 when tied or trailing after three quarters.

Notebook: Sixers 106, Raptors 98

Andy Jasner, for NBA.com
Posted Tue Nov 20, 2012 10:48 PM - Updated Tue Nov 20, 2012 10:48 PM

THE FACTS: Nick Young scored 23 points, Jason Richardson contributed 21 points and the Philadelphia 76ers completed their five-game homestand with a 3-2 mark in a 106-98 victory over the Raptors on Tuesday at the Wells Fargo Center. Jrue Holiday added 19 points, Thaddeus Young had 18 and Evan Turner 12 for the Sixers, who improved to 7-4.

DeMar DeRozan led the Raptors (3-8) with 24 points while Andrea Bargnani scored 22. Kyle Lowry and Jose Calderon chipped in with 13 points each while Jonas Valanciunas had 11.

QUOTABLE: "I think by finishing games, we're learning about each other."

-- Holiday

THE STAT: The Sixers outshot Toronto 47.1 percent to 45.1 percent. The Sixers have outshot their opponent in each of the past three games and are 6-0 when doing that this season.

TURNING POINT: After Lowry tied the game at 96, Richardson converted a three-point play. Following two missed free throws by Lowry, Richardson then knocked down a 3-pointer from the baseline for a 102-96 advantage. Thaddeus Young added a layup for an eight-point lead and that turned out to be enough of a cushion.

HOT: Thaddeus Young was 8-for-13 from the field and was as active as he has been all season. Several of his baskets came from offensive rebounds. When Young brings this type of energy, the Sixers usually respond.

NOT: Lavoy Allen continues to struggle offensively for the Sixers. He missed three of his four shots.

QUOTABLE II: "It was our game. We couldn't finish it out."

-- Calderon, on squandering a six-point lead late in regulation.

FANTASY SPOTLIGHT: Holiday nearly compiled a triple-double of 19 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds. He also added three steals. For Toronto, Lowry returned from an injury and had a strong all-around game -- 13 points, seven assists and seven rebounds.

INSIDE THE ARENA: The announced crowd of 13,965 was rather quiet for three quarters. When the Sixers rallied and pulled out a win with a strong finish, the fans responded with a number of loud ovations.

QUOTABLE III: "We just fought. The fans started to get behind us and that played a big part."

-- Nick Young, on rallying for the win.

GOOD MOVE: Sixers coach Doug Collins went to a small lineup in the fourth quarter and the team played very well. The small lineup won't work every night, but it sparked the team against Toronto.

BAD MOVE: Toronto didn't do a good job attacking the Sixers' small lineup. The Raptors had a clear advantage in the low post and couldn't capitalize.

ROOKIE WATCH: Valanciunas started and had 11 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots for Toronto. Guard Terrence Ross and forward Quincy Acy didn't play. For the Sixers, forward Arnett Moultrie and guard Maalik Wayns also had DNP-CDs.

NOTABLE: Richardson suffered a head contusion in the third quarter but returned early in the fourth. ... Collins picked up a technical foul with 10:10 remaining. ... Calderon had 13 points, 12 assists and five rebounds. ... The Sixers trailed by seven entering the fourth. It was their first victory this season when tied or trailing at the start of the fourth. They were 2-25 last season. ... Nick Young scored 10 of his season-high 23 points in the fourth. ... Richardson had his third 20-plus point effort over the past five games. ... Holiday had his fourth double-double. ... Toronto was 4-for-16 from beyond the arc. ... The Raptors are 0-6 when allowing 100 or more points this season. ... The Sixers have won three in a row for the second time this season.

NEXT: For the Raptors, Wednesday @ Charlotte, Friday @ Detroit, Sunday vs. San Antonio. For the Sixers, Wednesday @ Cleveland, Saturday vs. Oklahoma City, Sunday vs. Phoenix.

• Raptors: Anderson, Fields
• 76ers: Bynum

• Raptors: --
• 76ers: Collins

• Lead Changes: 7
• Times Tied: 10

• Arena: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
• Officials: #17 Joe Crawford, #11 Derrick Collins, #58 Josh Tiven
• Attendance: 13965
• Duration: 2:11