GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NBA: PHILADELPHIA (0-0) at TORONTO (0-0)

NBA: PHILADELPHIA (0-0) at TORONTO (0-0)

<h3>Raptors open defense of Atlantic Division title</h3>

<div class="pre">Philadelphia (0-0) at Toronto (0-0) 7:00 pm EDT</div>

TORONTO (Ticker) -- The Toronto Raptors have something new todeal with this season: expectations.


The Raptors begin the defense of their Atlantic Division titlewhen they open the season against the Philadelphia 76ers onWednesday.


Toronto cruised to a surprise division title last season, butwere jettisoned out of the playoffs in the first round by theNew Jersey Nets in six games despite being the No. 3 seed in theEastern Conference.


The Raptors were without key role players Andrea Bargnani andJorge Garbajosa in the playoffs due to injuries, but both arehealthy to start the season and expect to team with All-StarChris Bosh to form a formidable frontcourt.


Bosh, who averaged 22.6 points and 10.7 rebounds, hopes tobenefit from the acquisition of Jason Kapano, who led the leaguein 3-point field goal percentage at 51.4 percent for the MiamiHeat in 2006-07.


The Sixers could be improved this season as well. After tradingfranchise icon Allen Iverson to the Denver Nuggets lastDecember, Philadelphia went 30-29 after the deal, including18-11 to end the regular season.


The strong finish lifted the Sixer to third place in theAtlantic and gave the team hope for this season. They added totheir frontcourt depth by taking forwards Thaddeus Young andJason Smith in the first round of the draft and trading forveteran bruiser Reggie Evans.


Andre Iguodala emerged as the go-to scorer in Iverson's absence,averaging 18.2 points per game, and point guard Andre Miller isback to run the squad.


The Raptors took three of the four matchups with Philadelphialast season.

 

NBA: PHILADELPHIA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">PHILADELPHIA AT TORONTO - PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS


PHILADELPHIA TORONTO

F Reggie Evans F Jason Kapono
F Andre Iguodala F Chris Bosh
C Samuel Dalembert C Andrea Bargnani
G Andre Miller G T.J. Ford
G Willie Green G Anthony Parker

OFFICIALS: Dick Bavetta
Violet Palmer
Leroy Richardson</div>

 

NBA: PHILADELPHIA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">PHILADELPHIA VS TORONTO - INACTIVES

PHILADELPHIA TORONTO

PLAYER NAME REASON PLAYER NAME REASON
S RANDOLPH COACH'S DECISION D MARTIN COACH'S DECISION
H HILL KNEE INJURY M BASTON COACH'S DECISION
J MOON COACH'S DECISION</div>

 

NBA: PHILADELPHIA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">NBA PHILADELPHIA 9
TORONTO 9 8:58 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: PHILADELPHIA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">NBA PHILADELPHIA 12
TORONTO 14 5:55 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: PHILADELPHIA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">NBA PHILADELPHIA 16
TORONTO 22 3:09 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: PHILADELPHIA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">NBA PHILADELPHIA 22
TORONTO 24 END, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: PHILADELPHIA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">NBA END 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PHILADELPHIA 22 22
TORONTO 24 24 END 1ST QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 1ST QUARTER

PHI - ANDRE MILLER 5, WILLIE GREEN 4, ANDRE
IGUODALA 4
TOR - ANDREA BARGNANI 5, ANTHONY PARKER 5,
RASHO NESTEROVIC 4</div>

 

NBA: PHILADELPHIA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">NBA PHILADELPHIA 30
TORONTO 33 9:00 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: PHILADELPHIA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">NBA PHILADELPHIA 42
TORONTO 41 6:00 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: PHILADELPHIA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">NBA PHILADELPHIA 46
TORONTO 50 2:54 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: PHILADELPHIA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">NBA PHILADELPHIA 50
TORONTO 58 HALFTIME</div>

 

NBA: PHILADELPHIA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">NBA HALFTIME 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PHILADELPHIA 22 28 50
TORONTO 24 34 58 HALFTIME

HIGH SCORERS AT HALFTIME

PHI - WILLIE GREEN 11, KYLE KORVER 9, ANDRE
MILLER 7
TOR - CHRIS BOSH 11, JOSE CALDERON 9, ANTHONY
PARKER 8</div>

 

NBA: PHILADELPHIA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">NBA PHILADELPHIA 52
TORONTO 67 8:40 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: PHILADELPHIA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">NBA PHILADELPHIA 55
TORONTO 77 5:52 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: PHILADELPHIA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">NBA PHILADELPHIA 59
TORONTO 79 3:50 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: PHILADELPHIA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">NBA PHILADELPHIA 67
TORONTO 81 END, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: PHILADELPHIA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">NBA END 3RD QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PHILADELPHIA 22 28 17 67
TORONTO 24 34 23 81 END 3RD QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 3RD QUARTER

PHI - KYLE KORVER 14, WILLIE GREEN 12, ANDRE
IGUODALA 11
TOR - CHRIS BOSH 14, ANDREA BARGNANI 12, JOSE
CALDERON 11</div>

 

NBA: PHILADELPHIA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">NBA PHILADELPHIA 78
TORONTO 84 8:57 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>

 

NBA: PHILADELPHIA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">NBA PHILADELPHIA 84
TORONTO 88 5:47 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>