<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0Gxpt2_0wLj2NgX00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0Gxpt2_0wLj2NgX00" width="1210" height="806" ></figure>UPDATE 5:20 p.m. ETRJ Barrett (shoulder) and Immanuel Quickley (pelvis) have both been ruled out for the Toronto Raptors before Friday’s contest vs. the Sixers. The Philadelphia 76ers hit the road for the first time this season on Friday evening when they take on the Toronto Raptors, with both teams looking to get their first win of the new season.The Sixers are still without Joel Embiid (knee injury management) and Paul George (bone bruise, left knee) as they continue “progressing”, as coach Nick Nurse said at practice on Thursday. Trust the Progress? The Sixers are otherwise healthy, with the only other team member appearing on the injury report being Caleb Martin, listed as probable for the contest with a right calf contusion.Even without Embiid and George, however, this one should be a lot more competitive than the shorthanded Sixers trying to keep up with the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this week. In fact, at the time of writing, Philadelphia are 4.5 point favorites on FanDuel Sportsbook over Toronto for Friday night. The Raptors are a young team still trying to find their footing as they continue to decline following the franchise’s 2019 championship. They finished 25-57 last campaign and haven’t really made any head-turning player additions since. In fact, they actually traded away a big component of last year’s team in Pascal Siakam. Siakam was traded to the Indiana Pacers over the summer after averaging 22.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game for the Raptors last season. With Siakam gone, the Raptors are relying heavily on the trio of RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley to carry the bulk of the responsibility for keeping the team afloat in conjunction with their young supporting cast. Last season for Toronto, Barrett averaged 21.8 points in 32 games played, Barnes averaged 19.9 points and earned an All-Star nod, and Quickley averaged 18.6 points in 38 games played. The problem for Toronto on Friday specifically is that they may be missing two crucial pieces of their trio (Join the club, Raptors!). As of Friday morning, Barrett (shoulder) and Quickley (pelvis) are both doubtful for their contest hosting the Sixers. Even if they both play, however, this Raptors team is mediocre at best and headed for a real rebuild. If the Sixers are going to snag a win while shorthanded this opening week, this is the best opportunity. The Sixers have problems of their own, however, even putting aside the Embiid and George situations. Philadelphia shot just 41.8% from the field (41-for-98) and 25.8% from three-point range (8-for-31) against the Bucks on Wednesday night. Even beating a struggling team like the Raptors is going to be infinitely more difficult if they’re only going to sink roughly four of every 10 field goal attempts. Hopefully playing a more generous defense than that of the Bucks can help the Sixers get their shooting efficiency on track and ultimately get more into a groove offensively Friday night. The Sixers and Raptors tip off at 7 p.m. ET. Game DetailsWho: Philadelphia 76ers at Toronto RaptorsWhen: 7:00 p.m. ETWhere: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ONWatch: NBC Sports PhiladelphiaRadio: 97.5 The FanaticFollow: @LibertyBallers</div></body>

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Shorthanded Sixers have golden opportunity to grab first win of season vs. Toronto Raptors

RJ Barrett (shoulder) and Immanuel Quickley (pelvis) have both been ruled out for the Toronto Raptors before Friday’s contest vs. the Sixers. The Philadelphia 76ers hit the road for the first time this season on Friday evening when they take on the Toronto Raptors, with both teams looking to get their first win of the new season.