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Sixers-Raptors: DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry could make things ugly for Philly, again

Toronto owns a 17-1 record against the Sixers since the start of the 2013-14 season.

Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (left) proved Thursday that he’s tough for the Sixers to stop. He finished with career highs of 45 points and six three-pointers made.
Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (left) proved Thursday that he’s tough for the Sixers to stop. He finished with career highs of 45 points and six three-pointers made.Read moreFrank Gunn / The Canadian Press via AP
    by Keith Pompey | Columnist
    Published 

76ers (14-17) at Toronto Raptors (22-8)

Saturday, 5 p.m. at Air Canada Centre

Talking points

This is a matchup of teams heading in opposite directions. The Sixers have lost four straight games and eight of their last nine. Meanwhile, the Raptors have won five straight games and 11 of their last 12.  If that's not daunting enough, consider that Toronto is 17-1 against the Sixers since the start of the 2013-14 season.

How to watch and follow the game

— TV and streaming: NBC Sports Philadelphia
— Radio: 97.5 FM
— Twitter: @PompeyOnSixers

Starting lineups

Sixers (14-17)

33 Robert Covington SF 6-9  15.1 ppg. 6.3 rpg.

9 Dario Saric PF 6-10  12.6 ppg. 7.1 rpg.

5 Amir Johnson C 6-10 4.6 ppg. 5.1 rpg.

0 Jerryd Bayless G 6-3  9.4 ppg. 2.4 apg.

25 Ben Simmons PG 6-10 17.2 ppg. 7.8 apg.

Coach: Brett Brown (fifth season, 89-270)

Injury report: Markelle Fultz (right shoulder rehabilitation, out); Justin Anderson (shin splints, out); Furkan Korkmaz (Lisfranc fracture, out); Joel Embiid (back soreness, tightness, questionable); JJ Redick (right hamstring tightness, doubtful).

Raptors (22-8)

3 Og Anunoby SF 6-8 7.1 ppg. 2.0 rpg.

9 Serge Ibaka  PF 6-10 14.0  ppg. 1.4 bpg.

17 Jonas Valanciunas C 7-0 10.6 ppg. 7.7 rpg.

10 DeMar DeRozan SG 6-7 24.7 ppg. 5.0 apg.

7  Kyle Lowry PG 6-1 16.1 ppg. 7.1 apg.

Coach: Dwane Casey (Ninth season, 336-292)

Injury report: Lucas Nogueira (Right calf, questionable)

Head to head

The Raptors hold a 49-36 series advantage.

Sixers’ upcoming games

Monday: Noon, at Madison Square Garden, Sixers at New York Knicks

Thursday: 10:30 p.m., at Moda Center, Sixers at Portland Trail Blazers

Dec. 30: 9 p.m., at  Pepsi Center, Sixers at Denver Nuggets

Dec. 31:  8 p.m., at Talking Stick Resort Arena, Sixers at Phoenix Suns

Jan. 3: 7 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center, San Antonio Spurs at Sixers