Will Joel Embiid Play Tonight? Toronto Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers: Preview, Injury Updates, and Prediction

The Philadelphia 76ers are staying in Florida for their second successive game against Toronto Raptors. Having lost the first one, the Eastern Conference leaders would be raring to go out and turn the tables in the repeat encounter. 

Venue: Amalie Arena (Tampa, Florida)

Time: 7:30 PM ET (February 23, 2021) 

Two promising Eastern Conference teams will go head-to-head for the second time in three days in a game that can end up either way. The Sixers have the dominance to clinch the win, while a determined Raptors team would hope to complete the double against Philly. 

Toronto Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers: Injury Updates and Lineups 

Raptors

The Toronto Raptors have won all of their four recent games, despite Kyle Lowry missing three of them. This tells how well the Raptors have begun to adjust with the pieces they have on the roster. Pascal Siakam has finally caught fire, and he’s incredible to watch alongside Fred VanVleet. 

The Raptors only have Lowry who is out for the repeat fixture against the Sixers. However, rookie Jalen Harris is listed as questionable for the upcoming game, though he has hardly found playing time this season. 

Possible Lineup

Terence Davis (G) 

Fred VanVleet (G) 

Norman Powell (F)

OG Anunoby (F)

Pascal Siakam (C) 

76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers were expected to get the win on Sunday, but the Raptors’ solid defense prevented them from doing so. Joel Embiid continues to be an offensive juggernaut as he combined with Ben Simmons to score 53 points against Toronto. 

As for injuries, the Sixers only have to worry about Seth Curry, as he’s been placed on the day-to-day list. He’s facing ankle soreness and it might keep the combo guard out of the game. 

Possible Lineup

Ben Simmons (G)

Furkan Korkmaz (G)

Danny Green (F)

Tobias Harris (F)

Joel Embiid (C) 

Prediction

The major aspect why the Philadelphia 76ers lost on Sunday was because of their shooting. The team shot just 38.8% of their field goals against their Atlantic Division rivals and would look to improve their performance in the upcoming game. 

It is critical that they do it as the Sixers have got more firepower on the team when compared to the Raptors. Hence, assuming that Joel Embiid and team come out on Tuesday with vengeance on their minds, we predict that the Philadelphia 76ers will defeat the Toronto Raptors in the repeat fixture. 

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