<div align="center">Philadelphia 76ers @ Miami Heat Time: November 18, 7:30pm Atlantic Time TV: NBALP, WPSG Radio: WIP 610 AM <u>Probable Starting Five</u> Philadelphia 76ers</div> PG: Allen Iverson PPG: 31.9 APG: 8.2 SPG: 2.7 SG: Andre Iguodala PPG: 12.8 APG: 3.0 RPG: 7.1 SPG: 1.7 SF: Kyle Korver PPG: 9.4 RPG: 4.2 PF: Chris Webber PPG: 20.4 RPG: 9.9 APG: 3.2 C: Steven Hunter PPG: 8.7 RPG: 4.2 BPG: 1.9 <div align="center">Miami Heat</div> PG: Jason Williams PPG: 12.9 APG: 4.1 SG: Dwyane Wade PPG: 24.5 RPG: 7.4 APG: 7.6 SPG: 1.9 SF: Antoine Walker PPG: 15.6 RPG: 7.0 PF: Udonis Haslem PPG: 11.6 RPG: 8.6 C: Alonzo Mourning PPG: 11.0 RPG: 7.9 BPG: 3.8 <font color=""Red""><div align="center">Injury Report Philadelphia 76ers: S. Dalembert - right quad strain Miami Heat: S. Oneal - sprained right ankle</font> Key Matchup Andre Iguodala VS Dwyane Wade Andre Iguodala will have his hands full with Dwyane Wade, who is one of, if not the most explosive player in the NBA. Dwyane Wade can drive, create his own shot, make terrific passes, and hit the open jumper. Andre Iguodala on the other hand, is known more for his defensive abilities, but over the summer, he has created his own offensive game. He can now create his own shot and hit the open jumper, as well as hitting the shot from long range. Expect these two to be at each other's throats on Friday. <div align="center"><font color=""darkgreen"">Keys to the Game </font></div> Philadelphia 76ers * <font color=""Red"">Force Turnovers</font> - The Sixers are one of the best teams in this catagory, forcing turnovers. Allen Iverson and Andre Iguodala are two premier defensive players, and both are the NBA's top stealers. They will most likely force many turnovers this game, which will lead to fast break oppurtunities that will wow the crowd. * <font color=""red"">Start Up the Game Quick</font> - At times, the Sixers tend to start out late, and find themselves down by a bundle, which means that they will play pickup basketball for most of the game. Although they have done a pretty good job at this this season, they can't afford to get down by much against such an explosive team as Miami. * <font color=""red"">Finish Off Games</font> - Sixer fans know this, and are always frustrated by this. For the past 2 or 3 years, the Sixers have always failed to finish off games. They get many huge leads, only to take ill advised shots, play poor defense, and in a flash, the Sixers find themselves up by only a bucket. They can't alow this to happen this game, especially the Heat, because once they get the momentum, they will be on fire. Miami Heat * <font color=""red"">Chemistry</font> - The only weakness the Heat may have this season is arguably their team chemistry. Antoine Walker and Jason Williams are both good NBA players, but they have to learn to mesh together, along with the other Heat players. When they do, this team may very well be the best team in the NBA, and the NBA Finals may very well be reality. * <font color=""red"">Perimeter Defense</font> - The Sixers have one of the best three point shooters in the NBA in Kyle Korver, and although has been struggling as of late, he has shown signs of the Kyle Korver of last year, and must not be left open, because if he does, his chances of the three point shot is high. Also, last game, Andre Iguodala has shown that he has range as well, and shouldn't be taken too lightly. If the Heat don't guard the perimeter well, they might not come out with the W. * <font color=""red"">Guard Allen Iverson </font>- He's 30 years old, his career is closer to the end than the begining, but has he lost a step yet? No, actually, he seems as if he has even gained a step. Last season, AI had the best season of his career, getting the NBA scoring title, and getting the MVP of the all-star game. This season, he has looked just as well as last, averaging about 31 points a game. NBA fans know that no team can let AI get on a roll, because if they do, he will be unstoppable. The key to shutting down AI? Play tough defense early on, and never let loose. If he is struggling early on, chances are, he will most likely struggle the whole game, or at least not be unstoppable.</div> Quote of the Day: Finding good players is easy, getting them to play as a team is a different story. -Casey Stengel There you have it guys, my first ever Sixer preview. I know it doesn't compare to what B-22 or BKS do, but hopefully I will improve as time goes on. Also, about the player pictures, i have no idea where to get the player's face shot, so sorry about that. Feedback is welcomed.
Nice preview I think the 76ers have a great shot at winning this game. They are facing a team that is hurting right now, while at the same time our squad will be coming in with their confidence souring. If we can beat the Heat it will also help solidify that the 76ers are a perennial contender this year in the eastern conference. Though it is early I think they are for real these next two games will prove weather they are or not.
Agreed. This is a very winnable game for the Sixers since Shaq is out. We just need to prevent Wade from exploding, because we all know he'll get his numbers. We just have to defend the rest of the guys. I'm a little worried about Zo, however, especially if Hunter gets in early foul trouble.
Excellent preview Phila, especially for the first time. Keep it up. My prediction: (With a little bias sugared on top, I'll admit it) I take Philly by 8. It just so hard to root against them because they are so hot and the Heat seem discombobulated with all the personality issues and the absence of Shaq. Not to mention, Jason Williams might sit this game out due to injury I believe. So yeah, I'm going with the road team.
nice preview! as much as i love the sixers, i see heat winning in a close game by 2 or 3. you can get a player face shot at nba.com on their player profile. http://www.nba.com/playerfile/allen_iverson/
Very nice preview,that pic of Webber is priceless if you imagine him with a lighter and a bong. I think the Sixers can win this one,I really want the winning streak to go on. Sixers by 6 and a nice defensive effort.
Ok, preview for a first. But I really think you could put the extra time to go to NBA photostore to get updated pics. www.nba.com/photostore
AI on fire so far at the end of the first he has 13 points and is shooting incredible. We cannot stop Wade though he has nine points all from the paint or line. Also Kapono yes, Kapono is killing us he scored five points in the last minute of the fourth quarter. One, due to Allen taking a risk on a steal, and coming up empty leaving him wide open, and another two from the line. Sixers up 27-25.
AI is playing good, and I think if the 76ers play consistent for four quarters they can win. Right now everyone not named Iverson are having pretty quiet games, so those guys need to step it up in order to be a Miami team with pretty good depth. Attack the paint and get Zo in foul trouble then Miami will have to play with a small lineup and I think that is in the 76ers favor.
Were playing good, but the Sixers need to take care of Wade better in the paint, he`s had like 5 dunks and a layup for his points so far.
Wade is having his way right now, and the 76ers are down by 12. It is AI's time to take over this game, a win is still possible.
That's just stupid to say heat4life.. someone even told me on IRC that the heat were getting all the calls. Sixers could beat a SHAQ-LESS heat anyday of the week, but the Heat are hitting on all cylinders. Wade is just awesome tonight, and Walker is being... efficient? They are just hot tonight, and I thought AI2 could play defense... wade is killing him.
If anything the Heat are getting all the calls, but what can you do when the momentum is in their favor? Iverson is doing his thing, as is Webber, but the supporting cast isn't really helping much. Korver is playing the way he did in the first three games of the year, and Andre just looked out of it from the opening tip. Walker is hot tonight as well, and everything just seems to be going the Heat's way. Zo is going to be huge for the Heat, this guy is ballin' out of control.
Tough loss, the 76ers started off good but their lack of defense beyond the arc and their inability to contain Wade definitely and obviously, cost them the game. Besides Webb and AI the rest of the team shoot poorly, and the young supporting cast continues going up and down for the Sixers. Of course when the Sixers loose, they are almost always OUT REBOUNDED! The Heat only used seven players to, all their starters were effective and Walkers murdered the Sixers. That was the difference in the game as the Sixers did not have much support from the supporting cast. Well the streak had to come to an end eventually, the 76ers have to keep their heads up and apply the 24 hour rule because they have a big game tommorow against the Cavs at home. I'd like the 76ers to take this one and I think they can do it, Allen is shooting very well and C Webb is playing good to, the rest of the 76ers have to step up and not for just one game but consistently. Philly usually plays the Cavaliers pretty good, but they are on a streak of their own and have recently throtled the Magic at home. Their starters are going to be more rested then the 76ers starters will be and it is a long flight back to Philly from South Florida.
Yep. I think AI and Webber have proved they will coexist, and both of them will get theirs almost every night. This team will go as far as the supporting cast will take them, and we need consistent play from them night in and night out. They played poorly until about 3 minutes left in the game, and that isn't going to cut it. The game against the Cavaliers is a big one. They are on a six game winning streak of their own heading into our building. Hopefully Korver's shot is falling at home, otherwise we'll need spectacular games from AI and Webber to pull it out.
Like B22 said, the run was going to end eventually but personally I thought it was going to be tonight against Cleveland. As for this game, we played solid for the first quarter and half of the second until Miami went on that 17-5 run. Our defense was horrible. Statistically we are one of the worst defensive teams in the league and the absence of Dalembert plays a major role in that. I?m not making any excuses but as far as our perimeter ?defense? and defending the 3pt line, we need a new scheme or maybe it?s just that our guys aren?t ass committed to playing defense. Whatever the case may be despite the scoring onslaught we have put on teams these past couple of game it won?t last forever and we need to learn how to shut teams down rather than try outscoring them. The Heat played a good game and they won, simple as that. Iverson was solid like always, Webber stepped up and shot the ball well, grabbed some rebounds and also blocked three shots in the process. Other than Salmons, our supporting cast didn't get the job done. Which is not entirely their fault because the Heat played great defense and you could tell that they took us out of our game because we only had 13 assists which is relatively low to the high assist we?ve had been averaging over the winning streak. Like Iverson said, "we just couldn't keep Wade under control." That obviously was another reason why the Heat won; if Iguodala had specially prepared himself we would have a better shot at winning. He prepared himself differently when we took on the Lakers and judging by that boxscore and the way Wade was free on the court it looks like Iggy wasn't as committed on slowing him down like he was on Kobe. Rebounds? I won?t even get to that, it?s not surprise that the Heat out did us in that department. Turnovers?again we did an excellent job holding onto the ball and forcing turnovers, but at the end of the day the Heat played good basketball and we just lost the game, simple as that. Overall, I'm not upset with this lost because there was no way I expected a 6 game winning streak and I'm happy it last while it did. Again while I think we will lose to Cleveland we shouldn't put our heads down because we have a fairly easy schedule after that. Hornets Bucks Knicks Blazers Celtics Hornets It's possible we could start another 6 game winning streak but I see us going 4-2 during that stretch. NOTE: Something that heavily favors us in that stretch is that fact that we have two 2 idle days between two games. This will help us more than you think because I don't know if anybody has noticed this but tonight will mark the 4th game we have played in five days. <---- That's mainly the reason why I think we will lose tonight.
Nice assessment, and I agree with you. However I don't think we should point just Andre out for Wade's outstanding performance, but it was the entire team's fault. In the Laker game we had guys helping Iggy out. When Kobe would somehow get by Iggy we had two more defenders right there that cut him off and didn't allow him to get to the basket. Last night when Wade got by Iggy he had a clear path to the basket because nobody else got in front of him. We just played poor team defense, and we need to improve on the defensive end like you said. Even during our winning streak we were giving up 100 ppg and scoring 108 ppg of our own, and the 108 points offensively isn't going to be there the entire season. We need to start playing better defense.
