76ers 100 - 108 Raptors
Final
  for this game

Raptors welcome road-weary Sixers to town

Dec 13, 2013 - 3:47 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Toronto Raptors will unveil their newest assets Friday night when they host Atlantic Division rivals, the Philadelphia 76ers, at Air Canada Centre.

On Monday, the Raptors sent Rudy Gay, Quincy Acy and Aaron Gray to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Greivis Vasquez, John Salmons, Chuck Hayes and Patrick Patterson.

The newest members haven't had much practice time, but all are expected to be available on Friday. There was a visa issue with Vasquez, but it's been resolved. Now, it's up to the organization to acclimate them to the Raptors.

"It's not going to happen overnight," acknowledged Raptors coach Dwane Casey. "Integrating those guys with our guys is going to take time. We have roles for each guy that we have in mind."

On the floor, the Raptors have been bad lately. They've dropped six of their last seven with the only victory coming on Sunday in Los Angeles when the Raps spoiled Kobe Bryant's return from Achilles surgery.

Toronto was short-handed that night as the trade was agreed upon, but not official. The Raptors had a thin bench on Tuesday when they fell at home to the San Antonio Spurs, 116-103.

All five starters scored in double figures, led by 19 apiece from Amir Johnson and DeMar DeRozan. Dwight Buycks, a seldom-used guard from Marquette, scored 10 off the bench.

The Spurs shot 55 percent and scored 20 points off Toronto's 19 turnovers.

The Sixers have dropped nine straight on the road. Their only victory away from home this season came in their first road contest in Washington on Nov. 1.

Philly hasn't been great at home recently either. The Sixers have lost four straight, eight of nine and 12 of 14.

On Wednesday, the 76rs led going into the fourth quarter in Minnesota, but the Timberwolves outscored the Sixers, 28-18 over the final 12 minutes. It was enough to give Minny a 106-99 victory, which marked the 10th time in the last 11 contests the Sixers have allowed 100 points or more.

"In a big picture, we put ourselves in a position to win a game," said Philadelphia head coach Brett Brown. "We put ourselves in a position to win a game on the road and it's hard to do that."

The Sixers built a 19-point lead after the first quarter, but steadily lost the lead throughout the game. They shot 53 percent from the field and 45 percent from long range, but lost the rebounding battle by eight.

Spencer Hawes and Tony Wroten scored 20 points apiece, followed by 16 each from Thaddeus Young and James Anderson. Evan Turner finished with 13 points.

Rookie Michael Carter-Williams missed his fourth straight with right knee soreness.

The Raptors beat the 76ers in Philadelphia on Nov. 20 and have won two of the last three in this series. The Sixers have taken three of the last four in Toronto.






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