(Sports Network) - The Philadelphia 76ers will be out for some revenge when
they pay a visit to the Toronto Raptors tonight from Air Canada Centre.
The playoff-hopeful Sixers were embarrassed on their home floor in a 99-78
loss to the Raptors last Wednesday and hope to improve their postseason
position with a win tonight over their Atlantic Division rivals. Toronto has
won seven of the past 11 matchups in this series, while both teams have split
the past 12 games up north.
Philadelphia ended a four-game slide and won for the first time this month
with Tuesday's 107-88 blasting of the New Jersey Nets at Wells Fargo Center,
as Lou Williams led five scorers in double figures with 20 points off the
bench. Spencer Hawes and Thaddeus Young scored 19 points apiece and Jrue
Holiday added 14 for the 76ers, who are seeded seventh in the East, one game
ahead of New York and two in front of Milwaukee.
"We had to get this win," said Sixers forward Elton Brand.
Andre Iguodala had 13 points in a winning effort. The Sixers are 1-1 on a
three-game road trip and rebounded from Sunday's loss at Boston. They are
11-15 away from the City of Brotherly Love and three games in back of the
Celtics for division bragging rights.
Philadelphia hasn't won consecutive games since winning three in a row from
March 7-11.
The Raptors will play two games at home against Philadelphia and Boston, and
have lost three in a row since a three-game winning streak. In a 103-98 loss
at Indiana on Monday, Linas Kleiza paced the Raptors with 18 points off the
bench and Alan Anderson scored 17.
"It is very tough to come back against a good team when you're down that many
points. But we did, and we still had a chance," Kleiza said.
Toronto was without center Andrea Bargnani because of a calf issue and he is
listed as doubtful versus the Sixers.
The Sports Network