Game Preview: Toronto Raptors @ Philadelphia 76ers(Game 1/2)

<div align="center"><font size=""4""><u>GAME 1</u></font>

<font color=""White"">@</font>
<font color=""Purple"">Toronto Raptors</font> @ <font color=""DarkRed"">Philadelphia 76ers</font>
Place: Wachovia Arena
Time: Tuesday, 7:00 pm
TV: NBALP, CSN

<u>Probable Starting Five</u>

<font color="Red">Philadelphia 76ers</font>



<font size=""1""><font color=""DarkRed"">PG</font>- Allen Iverson
<font color=""DarkRed"">SG</font>-Andre Iguodala
<font color=""DarkRed"">SF</font>-Kyle Korver
<font color=""DarkRed"">PF</font>- Chris Webber
<font color=""DarkRed"">C</font>- Steven Hunter</font>

<font size=""1"">Coach: Maurice Cheeks</font>
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<font color="Purple"> Toronto Raptors</font>



<font size=""1""><font color=""Purple"">PG</font>- Mike James
<font color=""Purple"">SG</font>-Jalen Rose
<font color=""Purple"">SF</font>-Mo Peterson
<font color=""Purple"">PF</font>- Chris Bosh
<font color=""Purple"">C</font>- Aaron Williams</font>

<font size=""1"">Coach: Sam Mitchell</font>

<u>Injury Report</u>

Samuel Dalembert(76ers)- Out, Right Quad Strain</div>

<u>Keys to the Game</u>



<ul><font color="DarkRed">Get everyone involved on offense</font> They seem to have forgotten that Iguodala can score these last few games he has become the lost man on the offensive end of the court his scoring average is really down these last two games. We need to get him involved early tonight so we can win.[/list]

<ul><font color="DarkRed">Play all four quarters.</font> once again do not let up the 76ers let up the pressure on every team they play when they get a big lead if they do that tonight the Raptors might just maybe be able to take advantage.[/list]

<ul><font color="DarkRed">Shoot well.</font> Webber this is directed to you more than anybody though Webber has been productive this season he has not shot well these last few games, and has missed some give me shots while getting into early foul trouble. Can not do that tonight against a very good young power forward in Chris Bosh.[/list]

My Prediction: The 76ers are on a roll I got them by fifteen tonight. The Raptors are struggling, and although they lost in overtime to the Sonics they are still undefeated these are the games the 76ers have to win.

<div align="center"><font color=""Red"">FINAL SCORE:</font> 104-92, Sixers

Recap | Boxscore | Postgame Notes

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<font size=""4""><u>GAME 2</u></font>

<font color=""White"">@</font>
<font color=""DarkRed"">Philadelphia 76ers</font> @ <font color=""Purple"">Toronto Raptors</font>
Place: Air Canada Centre
Time: Wednesday, 7:00 pm
TV: NBALP, CSN

<u>Injury Report</u>

Samuel Dalembert(76ers)- Out, Right Quad Strain
Michael Bradely(76ers)- Activated, Surgery
Shalvik Randolph(76ers)- Activated, Stress Foot Fracture</div>

<u>Keys to the Game</u>



<ul><font color="DarkRed">Turnovers</font>Less than 24 hours ago the 76ers forced the Raptors to eighteen turnovers while protecting the ball themselves by only committing ten turnovers. The 76ers played solid defense and were very active which lead to many steals and deflections, so the 76ers must look to have an encore performance on the defensive end of the floor.[/list]

<ul><font color="DarkRed">Charlie Villanueva</font> 27 Points, 3-3 3Pt shooting and 13 rebounds off the bench is not acceptable. If Villanueva was able to do this on the road, there is no telling what he will do on his home court. The 76ers need to contain him and hold him at least under 15 points if they want to comfortably win this game.[/list]

<ul><font color="DarkRed">Energy</font> 39 Points in the first quarter? You could never ever go wrong there. That is why the Sixers must look to bring the same energy on the road. The Raptors often get into the game early on and can be a distraction, so the Sixers must look to bring as much energy as the crowd and keep fighting and when/if they get a lead, they must look to add on to it rather than trying to keep it.[/list]

My Prediction: The 76ers are hot right now, and forget about the Raps having an answer to Iverson, they don't have even have an answer for Webber. I expect the 76rers to increase that winning streak to six. I expect Bosh to defend Webber better and and at the same time have a better overall game(26 Points, 11 Rebounds) but I see Iverson continuing where he left off from last night and this time around I expect Iguodala to be a bigger factor.

117-109, Sixers

 

I don`t know why, but I`m getting that feeling that Toronto may pull off an upset. It`s just one of those things that happen to Sixers I guess.

BKS brought up a good point in his prediction however, these are the games we have to win to accell in.

 

This should be a win but don't be surprised if the Raptors play good. Interior defense has been killing the 76ers lately, an example would mediocre bigmen like Chris Mihm scogring like 20 and 9 or 10 on the 76ers, look what happened when they played a good bigman he dropped 32 on them. The 76ers are missing Dalembert and it is definitely showing. With that being said someone is going to have to step it up inside the paint or Bosh is likely to have a big night. The 76ers also need to PLAY ON THE SAME PAGE! They are on a four game winning streak, and they aren't even playing like a team they are cpable and showed signs of being in the first game of the season. If the 76ers can get all five of their starters to play somewhat well, and for Salmons and Nailion to play good off the bench they will thrive, especially against this winless team.

The 76ers have got two easily winable games coming up tonight and tommrow night, if they win those two they'll be 6-3 a pretty good start to the season.

Edit:The first quarter is over and the 76ers are playing the way they should be playing. Iverson and Webber are efficent right now, and after the first quater they have already outscored the entire Raptors team. They have got to keep this up, NO lapses!

 

39-20 Sixers at the end of the first.


Michael Bradley`s looking good so far, hope he keeps it up.

 

Webber always seems to get in foul trouble three fouls already. Salmons playing well, and the 76ers up 15 none the less. I don't know but this team is looking like a series contender in the eastern conference right now.

 

Toronto played a great second quarter, the Villuneva fella is just lighting it up on the boards.

45-53 Sixers at the half.

 

Man, the 76ers give up leads to easily, this game better not get any closer. The 76ers need a double digit win.

 

First official Louis Williams sighting! (I think)

Woot, nice game by the Sixers. Both Webber and Iverson did amazing jobs out there which ultimately decided this, but I must say, John Salmons is making a strong case for most improved player. I can say enough about him. Sixteen points, four assists, and two steals, great job by him. Although Korver hasn't regained his three point touch yet, he's still finding ways to score and do the little things so currently, I'm content with him. Lets see if we'll see a repeat next game.

 

Good win, although I'm concerned that we even allowed them to come back into the game. We need to be able to hold big leads, and not give them up. I'm happy, however, that we didn't collapse and responded to each run they made, but when we got a team down by 19 we have to blow them out. Don't let your foot off the guy's neck when he's down, just go ahead and finish it.

Great game by AI again: 34 points, 12 assists and only 2 turnovers. Iverson has been playing very well this year, and doesn't seem to be forcing shots outside of the offense, rather he seems to be taking the shots within the flow of the offense. Hopefully that continues.

What can I say about Webber except that I bet the Kings are dreading that they traded him away. Who said he's done? CWebb had 27 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 assists. Easily his best all-around game of the year. Good game for him, hopefully he continues to play the way he is capable of playing.

Salmons had a nice night off the bench, and it's good to see Bradley back in action even if it was only for a couple of minutes.

Shav looks alright, he played the last minute of the game and got an impressive bucket. I didn't think he played like that with everything I've read about him. Good to see that AI and Webb like the kid as they were cheering him on from the sideline when he scored.

Nailon had an off night, but I'll live with him not scoring 21 points in 25 minutes every night...

Good game, now hopefully Mo keeps this team in check and they go out tomorrow night and sweep the home-and-home in Toronto.

The only thing that disappoints me is that we could EASILY be 7-1 instead of 5-3... but I'm going to have to get over it. But I think it's good we started out the year 0-3 because it helped these guys out a lot. We just need to continue this winning streak and get a victory tomorrow night in Toronto before heading to Miami to play them Friday night, and then coming home to play LeBron and the Cavs at home on Saturday.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Good win, although I'm concerned that we even allowed them to come back into the game. We need to be able to hold big leads, and not give them up.</div>

There is starting to be a little too much emphasis on that. In whole, no, but as far as this game goes it wasn't that bad. It's not like the Raptors are as bad as their record looks. They are going to make runs no matter what and if anybody doesn't see that coming, you must ask yourself how long have I been watching the NBA. Teams make runs no matter how bad they are. And it's not like we won by single digits, we won by a large margin of 14. So that juts goes to show that we can close out games because the Raps made a little run before regulation.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The only thing that disappoints me is that we could EASILY be 7-1 instead of 5-3... but I'm going to have to get over it. But I think it's good we started out the year 0-3 because it helped these guys out a lot. We just need to continue this winning streak and get a victory tomorrow night in Toronto before heading to Miami to play them Friday night, and then coming home to play LeBron and the Cavs at home on Saturday.</div>

I agree with you there.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">
First official Louis Williams sighting!</div>

He scored two points in the third game of the season I believe.

All in all, you can't say enough about Webber. Iverson had a great night and we've seen that from him a million times. But Webber was the man of the night. 28 Points and 16 Rebounds. But what was best about that game was the way he moved. NBA.com now shows free highlights so I urge you guys to go check out highlights of that game and just see how he was running the floor. In that fastbreak he had with Iguodala I could have sworn Steven Hunter was running the floor, that's how smooth and fast he was going. And to be honest, I think it's just a mental thing with him. In this game he seemed soo much more aggressive and had it seemed as if he got his swagger back, you could just tell by his body language. He was looking to attack everytime he had a chance to. I guess those two bad games he had prior to this game go to him.

Also Michael Bradley look okay according to the boxscore. 2-2 Shooting(4 Points), 1 Rebound and 1 Assist in five minutes. Not bad.

One last thing, look at the guy in my sig and remeber that name. He's no joke. 16 points off the bench with 4 assists never hurts.

 

The Dynamic Duo shows up again

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Allen Iverson and Chris Webber are playing more like a dynamic duo than dynamic duds. No longer a mismatched pair, the two are dominating -- and woeful Toronto was the latest team to pay.

Iverson scored 34 points and added 12 assists, Webber had 28 points and 16 rebounds and the Philadelphia 76ers won their fifth straight game, 104-92 over the winless Raptors on Tuesday night.</div>

Source

AI is having a hell of a year, if im not mistaking, is the only player to score at least 28pts in every game so far.

 

Avery speaks the truth about Johnny...

 

I updaded the 1st post with a small preview for Game 2.

 

Should be a great game tonight as AI only needs like 17 points to have 17 000 points for his career and 1 three pointer to get 800 for his career.

 

i was wrong about rose, not having a big game against korver in the low post... hopefully we'll get it from him this game...

bosh gotta hold webber and cant let him take those easy Js...
graham at points held AI, thats all we need you to do... slow him DOWN!
another double double for charlie v? lets hope so...

 

The Sixers just have to be a little more aware in the low post, Toronto really attacked that area. But if we play like we did with that same intensity we did in the first, we should cruise on to 6 straight.

 

wrong thread.

 

AI needs only nine more points for 17,000 in his career make tha seven now Sixers lead 24-11.

 

The whole team in contributing on offense right now.

 

Thirty five points already in the first quarter, still 2:30 left in the first quarter Sixers up by eighteen.