Joel Embiid probable to play Tuesday vs. Raptors [UPDATE]

UPDATE: Dec. 28 5:33 p.m. — Embiid is being listed as probable to play in Tuesday’s game vs. the Toronto Raptors. He was held out Sunday after his back flared up close to game time. Maybe the Sixers will give us a heads up on Embiid’s status with a bit of a buffer before tip-off on Tuesday.

Philadelphia 76ers C Joel Embiid has been ruled out for Sunday’s game vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers. Embiid apparently has back tightness that is keeping him out with around 15 minutes until the game locks. I’m not going to go off right now but this is ridiculous ... We’ll get you an update on who is starting in place of Embiid for the Sixers on Sunday.

With Embiid sidelined, we should see a lot of Dwight Howard at center against the Cavaliers. At $4,000, Howard will be one of the top values on the slate considering it already locked and many lineups may not pivot off of Embiid and to Howard. So if you can adjust your lineups, you may be able to get a lot of leverage on Howard in GPPs. Tony Bradley ($3,000) and Mike Scott ($3,300) would also be candidates to see more minutes off the bench at center with Embiid out.

The other side of this is that it makes for a much easier matchup for Andre Drummond ($8,600). With no Embiid, Drummond should have a chance at more rebounds and won’t be a threat to get into foul trouble. Drummond was also likely to be underowned in GPPs, so you can get a ton of leverage on him as well.