Raptors at 76ers
THE STORY: The Toronto Raptors were just beginning to build a little momentum when they ran into the New Jersey Nets on Friday. After playing outstanding defense in wins over the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers, the Raptors had some trouble guarding the perimeter against the Nets and were victimized by 15 3-pointers in a 97-85 setback. First-year coach Dwane Casey will not have much time to iron out that particular facet of the defense before Saturday, when Toronto visits the Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers were among the leaders in team 3-point field goal percentage but struggled to a 5 of 18 night from beyond the arc on Friday. No matter, Philadelphia did some damage on the inside with Spencer Hawes and Thaddeus Young and ended up cruising to a 96-73 win over the Detroit Pistons. The 76ers have won three straight.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, TSN2 (Toronto), CSP (Philadelphia)
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (3-4): Casey was the architect of the defensive scheme that the Dallas Mavericks rode to an NBA championship last season before being hired by Toronto. In addition to installing a similar style with the Raptors, Casey is building a younger team as opposed to the veteran-laden Mavericks squad. He seems to have gotten everyone to buy into the defense, as the Raptors have allowed over 99 points only once, but he needs to coax a little more scoring out of the team. Toronto is averaging 91.1 points and only Andrea Bargnani and DeMar DeRozan are putting up more than 13.1.
ABOUT THE 76ERS (4-2): Philadelphia has had very little trouble scoring in the early going. Friday’s 96-73 win actually marked its lowest offensive output of the season and only the second time it had failed to break the century mark. The 76ers got a combined 31 points on 15 of 25 shooting from Hawes and Young while Jodie Meeks led the way with 21 points on Friday. Meeks was the only one connecting from deep, burying 4 of 8 3-point attempts.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. DeRozan was held to a season-low three points on Friday.
2. Hawes has struggled to 6.1 points on 35.2 percent shooting in 10 career games against Toronto.
3. The teams split four meetings last season, with Philadelphia taking the final two.