Preview: Sixers host Raptors Thursday with Embiid and LeBron both questionable after Celtics loss

The Sixers host the Toronto Raptors Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. ET, and the only question that matters is whether Joel Embiid and LeBron James walk out of the tunnel. Both are listed as questionable.

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Embiid is listed with right foot plantar fascia injury management. James is listed with low back/sciatica management. This is not a back-to-back, which makes the designations hit harder. Embiid played 31 minutes against Boston and James played 29. Embiid also rolled his ankle late in the second quarter Tuesday and finished the game anyway.

The Sixers Are Coming Off a Beating

The Sixers lost to Boston 123-101 on Tuesday. Paul George scored 36 in his revenge game. The Celtics hit 22 of 39 threes. The Sixers missed 12 of their first 14 from deep and rushed contested jumpers instead of making Boston’s defense work. Jaylen Brown spent his first game against Jayson Tatum in foul trouble.

That is two losses in the last three for the Sixers. Nine and three looks great in the standings. The shot chart tells a different story.

The offense is the problem. The Sixers sit 20th in offensive rating and lean on isolation far more than they should. Embiid is shooting 37.0 percent from the field. Mike Gansey brought in Brown and James to build a title contender, and 20th in offense is not what anybody ordered. The defense ranks eighth, which is the only reason the record looks the way it does.

The Sixers Are Thin Up Front If Embiid Sits

Adem Bona is out with a cervical spine sprain. Dominick Barlow is out with a back issue, and Nick Nurse said Wednesday he likely needs another 10 to 12 days. Ariel Hukporti is out for the season. Take Embiid out of that group and the Sixers’ frontcourt is a help-wanted sign. Rebounding has already been a problem when Embiid sits, and Jakob Poeltl becomes a bigger piece of Toronto’s night if he is out.

Toronto has its own problems. Kawhi Leonard was ruled out Tuesday for at least another week with knee trouble. The Raptors played Boston on Wednesday and won’t release their injury report until Thursday afternoon, so check it before tip.

Sixers Should Win This Game Either Way

Here is the take. The Sixers beat Toronto Thursday with or without the two questionable stars. Tyrese Maxey is averaging 26.7 points a night, and this roster has more talent than a Raptors team missing Kawhi.

Maxey is scoring. VJ Edgecombe leads the team in steals. Brown has the Tatum game behind him. Toronto is down its best player.

The Sixers have had their full starting five available nine times in 12 games, so the load management debate is fair. But if they sit both stars and still lose to Toronto at home, the Celtics game stops being a bad night and starts being a pattern.