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Sixers-Raptors takeaways: Joel Embiid turnovers; Andre Drummond out of rotation

by Keith Pompey
Charles Fox / Staff Photographer

Joel Embiid has a turnover problem. Tyrese Maxey won’t use injuries as an excuse. And Andre Drummond appears to be out of the rotation when Embiid plays. Those things stood out in the Sixers’ 106-103 loss to the Toronto Raptors Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center.

Charles Fox / Staff Photographer

Embiid’s turnovers

Charles Fox / Staff Photographer

Embiid has always been a turnover prone player. The 7-foot-2 center averages 3.4 turnovers in 450 career games. But his giveaways have haunted after his 15 game absence with left knee injury management and a sprained left foot.

Against the Raptors, Embiid had four costly turnovers after totaling 12 in his previous three games, including one with 8.7 seconds remaining in the game with the Sixers down by two.

Charles Fox / Staff Photographer

No excuses from Maxey

Charles Fox / Staff Photographer

Maxey was held to a season-low five points while making 1 of 9 shots on Tuesday. After the game, coach Nick Nurse hinted that this point guard might be dealing with an injury.

But as if he was dealing with anything other than the normal grind of the season, Maxey responded, “I’ll be fine. I’ll be better tomorrow, and then I’ll get some rest. So I’ll be good. I make no excuses. I should have been a lot more aggressive today and helped my teammates out.”

Charles Fox / Staff Photographer

Out of the rotation

Phelan M. Ebenhack / AP

Drummond started the season as the backup center. However, he was third-string on Friday after missing eight games with a toe injury. Then he received a DNP (did not play) on Sunday vs. the Milwaukee Bucks and Tuesday against Raptors.

Adem Bona was the backup center in Friday’s road game against the Detroit Pistons. Meanwhile, Guerschon Yabusele was Embiid’s backup vs. the Bucks and Toronto.

Charles Fox / Staff Photographer
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