Streaking 76ers and winless Raptors start home-and-home set

(Basketball News) - The Toronto Raptors try once again for that elusive first victory of the season this evening when they travel to Philadelphia to face the red-hot 76ers in the opener of a home-and-home set at the Wachovia Center.

These two teams will square off again on Thursday at the Air Canada Centre.

Toronto’s latest loss came on Sunday, as it dropped a 126-121 overtime decision to the Seattle SuperSonics at the ACC.

Mike James scored a career-high 36 points for Toronto and Charlie Villanueva added 26 points and pulled down 12 rebounds for his first career double- double. Chris Bosh chipped in 21 points and 11 boards in defeat.

The Raptors continued their worst start in franchise history at 0-6.

Trailing by 10 with 2:49 left in regulation, Toronto rallied and got within 113-110 with 1:28 to play after Morris Peterson netted a 15-foot jump shot. Bosh then sent the game into overtime at 117-117 with a layup at the buzzer.

Toronto was never able to take the lead in overtime and only scored four points.

The Raptors, who have made a three- pointer in 538 games, dropped their only game away from home this season.

Philadelphia, meanwhile, comes into tonight’s contest after Allen Iverson scored 28 points and dished out 10 assists to pace the 76ers past the Los Angeles Clippers, 113-108.

Iverson went 10-of-11 from the free throw line and had five steals in the win.

Lee Nailon poured in 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting off the bench for Philadelphia, which has won four straight since opening the season 0-3.

The Sixers, who will wrap up a four-game homestand this evening, are 3-2 in their building this season.

Philly won three of four from the Raptors last season and has won seven of the last 11 meetings. Toronto, though, has won five of the last eight meetings in the City of Brotherly Love.