Real recognize real. Prior to their matchup on Sunday against the 76ers on Sunday, Raptors center Marc Gasol offered his opinion as to why Joel Embiid is such an integral piece to Philadelphia's success.

“To me, if he gets in rhythm, you're in trouble because once he starts hitting his jump shot, things change for him and his team,” Gasol said. “It gives them a lot of confidence, it gives him confidence, which fuels the whole thing.”

Gasol, the 2014 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, is averaging a career-low 6.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game as the Raptors starting center. Through 21 games, Toronto is 15-6 and behind Milwaukee, Boston and Miami in the Eastern Conference.

Embiid, on the other hand, is unquestionably one of the best big men in the NBA today. The seven-footer's numbers are slightly down from what he put up last year but the former No. 3 overall pick is still averaging 22.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.4 blocks per game.

The Sixers are 15-7 on the year and just half a game behind Gasol's Raptors. Philadelphia matches up with Cleveland today before turning their attention to the defending-champion Raptors. Embiid has been ruled out of the game against the Cavaliers with a left hip contusion and his status for Sunday's game is questionable.

Both Philadelphia and Toronto are squarely in the hunt in the Eastern Conference and Sunday's game should be a good benchmark to see where both teams are at as we reach roughly the quarter mark of the NBA season.