11.26.05: Philadelphia 76ers @ New York Knicks Game Preview

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<font color=""DarkRed"">Philadelphia 76ers (7-6)</font> @ <font color=""DarkOrange"">New York Knicks (3-8)</font>
Time: Saturday, Nov. 26, 12:30pm at Knicks
TV: NBALP, CSN





<font color="DarkRed">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=""DarkOrange"">New York Knicks</font>



<font size=""1""><font color=""DarkOrange"">PG</font>- Stephon Marbury
<font color=""DarkOrange"">SG</font>-Jamal Crawford
<font color=""DarkOrange"">SF</font>-Malik Rose
<font color=""DarkOrange"">PF</font>- Maurice Taylor
<font color=""DarkOrange"">C</font>- Antonio Davis</font>

<font size=""1"">Coach: Larry Brown</font>

<u>Injury Report</u>

<font size=""1""> S. Dalembert (Questionable) Obtained: Nov 2, 2005 Injury: Right quad strain
Q. Richardson (Doubtful) Obtained: Oct 25, 2005 Injury: Hamstring strain
E. Curry (Doubtful) Injury: Strained Calf
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<u>Game Most Valuable Player</u>
[IMGR]http://www.bodogbeat.com/archives/oncourt_photos_iverson8.jpg[/IMGR] The Answer light it up again in Milwaukee despite having flu symptoms, while at the same time the Knicks lost to the Charlotte Bobcats thanks to the shooting of.... Gerald Wallace? The Knicks defense has improved this year under Larry Brown, but their team is still mediocre at best. If Wallace was able to make a mockery of their defense just imagine what the leagues leading scorer will be able to do to it. Allen Iverson has been stroking the ball these last couple games, and I don’t really think Crawford or Marbury will be able to stop him.


One thing Allen needs to do in this game is get his teammates involved as well both Iguodala and Korver struggled against the Bucks due in part to foul trouble, and in part to their shots just not falling. AI has to get them the ball early, and worry about getting himself points later on in the game. Though he will get his no matter what I am not sure if Dre and Korver will if they don’t get off to good starts.

<div align="center"><u> Predicted Numbers: 35 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds</u>






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<ul><font color="DarkRed">A basketball game lasts 48 minutes</font> so please 76ers learn how to play the entire game. Besides the Hornets game I don‘t remember one instance this year that the 76ers played the entire game. They need to play this entire game or they will lose they can not afford lapses. The Knicks lost to the Bobcats, but they made a push towards the end of the game, and have made a push in every game they have played this season. There never say die attitude, along with the 76ers I earn my pay check after 35 minutes attitude could lead to a upset tonight.[/list]

<ul><font color="DarkRed">Box out</font> the main reason the 76ers lost to the Bucks was due to allowing to many second chance opportunities. Andrew Bogut managed to hit several key second chance buckets with a broken nose due to the 76ers not boxing out. So it is not a stretch to think Channing Frye will do the same if the 76ers don‘t improve tonight. Chris Webber and Andre Iguodala need to box out and let the ball come to them rather than just jumping up for the ball as soon as the shot is missed.[/list]

<ul><font color="DarkRed">Dre are you a shut down defender?</font> Prove it tonight. Dre has been handled by Lebron, Redd, and Wade so far this season after shutting Kobe Bryant down. Though it is not completely Dre’s fault he needs to prove he can shut a man down one on one. I don’t know whom he will be matched up against tonight, but no matter who it is he should have a significant size advantage, and can use that to his advantage. The 76ers need to help out sometimes to though they just seem to stand around and let Iguodala do all the work on the defensive end.[/list]

<ul><font color="DarkRed">Don‘t settle for shots</font> one thing the 76ers did during the Bucks game was settle for long range jumpers instead of driving the ball inside. Chris Webber was the prime example of this as he took so many 15-18 foot jumpers, and did not even look to get closer to the basket once. The Knicks are undersized on their front line so the 76ers can definitely take advantage of that.[/list]




<ul><font color="DarkOrange">Hustle, Hustle, Hustle</font> the only way the Knicks can have a chance to win during this game is to out hustle the 76ers. That is what got them going on a little run late against the Bobcats they need that to carry over to tonight. The Knicks are just like the 76ers in terms of taking mental lapses during the game except in the Knicks case it happens about every three minutes.[/list]

<ul><font color="DarkOrange">Get your scorers going early.</font> Don‘t give the ball to Taylor, Davis, and Rose and expect them to go out their shoot well, and give you 15 points a piece that’s not their style. You have two good scorers in Crawford and Marbury as well as Frye, Ariza, and Nate Robinson ( when he gets minutes) off the bench. If you need points those are the guys you should look at not Malik Rose.[/list]

<ul><font color="DarkOrange">Push the ball</font> the 76ers have struggled with their transition defense this season. If the Knicks push the ball up and down the court they might be able to get some easy buckets. They might also be able to get some three point plays.[/list]



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The 76ers should win this game key word being should. They should also have won the game against the Bobcats and the home opener against the Bucks, but they didn’t. Nothing is a given with this 76ers team so every game is a tough one. They need to shoot well, and force turnovers like they have been doing lately. The Knicks can surprise you if you take them lightly. I expect the 76ers to win though, and would be shocked if they did not. If you are going to be a contender these are the games you need to win. I got the 76ers winning 108-95 tonight.

 

Like you said, the 76ers should beat the Knicks. But it seems to me like the Sixers just always have their off-night, bad games against this team. It all starts with defense, these last few losses the Sixers have been losing in shoot- out type game and when they needed them they couldn't get key stops. The Sixers need to play scrappy on defense and get easy buckets, because it seems as if when the 76ers get in shootouts they always come out on the loosing side. of the game because they couldn't get any stops down the stretch. Hopefully this team is more healthier by Saturday because AI and C Webb both had the flu against the Bucks, and maybe even Dalembert can be back. Most of all the 76ers have to play alert and smart, they don't have loads of depth so players can't make stupid hack fouls and get into foul trouble.

 

I`m holding my breath against this one.

I like the point that BKS made in the preview of those 48 minutes. If the Sixers get a nice lead on the Knicks, they need to hold on to it and play some good defense.

The Knicks haven`t shown much early this season, but the 76ers just have that hunch of the less winning teams having success against them.

 

Nope. I do not like this game against NY at all. We always tend to struggle against them, and I just have a bad feeling about this game. Iverson had his worst shooting game in MSG a couple seasons ago and I wouldn't be surprised if he has a off night again. If this game is not a blowout from the get go, we will be in for a long game to the point where it goes down the wire and in which we might potentially drop this game.

I hope that is not the case under Cheeks and our days against struggling against the Knicks will be over, but the way I see it, it's just one of those things that are what they are. Like Jordan loves lighting up Cleveland, Iverson tourches the Bucks and Kobe loves breaking Denver heart. There are just somethings no matter what adjustments are made they just tend to happen, and I think this is one of them.

Speaking outside of my beliefs, the biggest key to this game will be rebounding. The Knicks are on top of the league in that department and we are at the bottom. So it's pretty clear on the importance of rebounding in this game.

Also, would anyone happen to know the status of Dalembert. Every game he is closer to returning. So it's just a matter of time.

 

I looked on the 76ers injury report on the 24th, and Dalembert wasn't listed on it. He has been medically cleared to play so its going to be his descsion wether he plays or not. I would guess that he is a GTD.

 

Sammy warmed up with the team before the Milwaukee Bucks game, but Comcast Sportsnet said he did not feel he was 100% yet at that point, but that he was definitely getting closer. He will warm up with the team again Saturday before the game, and depending how his body feels he will make the decision on weather or not to play. This would be as good a game as any for him to make his comeback, because then the 76ers could limit his minutes, and he could work off the rust. If this game goes according to plan, of course.

 

The 76ers had 3 players miss practice today. Allen Iverson, Thomas, and Gai all missed practice with the flu. Chris Webber has the flu as well, but practiced today and is probable for the game against the Knicks, AI is also probable for tommrows game and so is James Thomas. With that being said, I'm assuming Dalembert practiced again today I think he has a good chance at playing tommrow.

 

UPDATE

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"><u>Samuel Dalembert is expected to play his first game</u> when the 76ers visit New York on Saturday (12:30pm, CSN, 1210 WPHT). Dalembert has not played in a game this season. On Wednesday, the Sixers fell 108-97 to Milwuakee despite Allen Iverson's season-high 45 points.</div>

Source

Don't expect too much from him. If he has a horrible game I will be upset though because that just shows that he is not ready. But if he gets at least 20 minutes I would like to a stat line of: 4 Points, 4 Rebounds and 1 Block. Remeber his quad is not too good and that's what controls his knee so his movement may not be up to par. But still, if he is able to give it a go then he must feel he is at a decent stage to contribute a little something.

 

Interesting Sammy is not only playing, but starting already in his first game back. Maurice Cheeks said he will still manage his minutes, but will keep him in the starting lineup as long as he is feeling well.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Don't expect too much from him. If he has a horrible game I will be upset though because that just shows that he is not ready. But if he gets at least 20 minutes I would like to a stat line of: 4 Points, 4 Rebounds and 1 Block. Remeber his quad is not too good and that's what controls his knee so his movement may not be up to par. But still, if he is able to give it a go then he must feel he is at a decent stage to contribute a little something.</div>
Well its only been one quarter and Sam has missed your expectations by one rebound Avery. Your expectations are kind of low man! I think the Sixers opened up well, they held a team to 20 points in hte opening quarter so thats pretty solid. The 76ers need to keep up the good defensive play and maybe they can get a blowout win.

 

I have a feeling Iverson will come up with a memorable game tonight. Maybe another 60 point game or something. I'm just feeling it .

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Purple Fever:</div><div class="quote_post">I have a feeling Iverson will come up with a memorable game tonight. Maybe another 60 point game or something. I'm just feeling it .</div>
Man, and I forgot to take AI off the bench in one of my fantasy leagues since this was such a early game in terms of start time. Allen is playing very well up to this point, but he has forced several bad shots which he should not be taking. Dre has been in foul trouble all game, same with Samuel Dalembert and even Chris Webber to a certain extent. Sixers never trailed in the first half, and hopefully we can continue to play like this. Sammy is not shooting very well, but that is to be expected he needs to get his timing down before he starts shooting very well. He has been a force on defense however look for more of the same in the second half.

 

Right now Channing Fry is frying the 76ers(lol)! They have a ten point lead but they haven't been trailing all game, I'd be very surprised if the 76ers broke down and lost this lead and game.

 

Korver is taking some stupid shots. No one on the 76ers can buy a bucket right now, and we can’t stop fouling Channing Frye. Webber has struggled ever since catching the flu I guess it’s hitting him harder than even he expected. Dre cannot get a call he ties up Ariza, and they call a foul on him. I am still not sweating it much a lot of time left. If we lose this game however, I would be very surprised.

 

C-Webb with the tip! We`re going to OT.

 

What the hell went down? I'm looking at ESPN's Gamecast and I'm so confused. Did Webber just make a buzzer beating tip in? If so, then woot!

 

Wow overtime much better game than I thought it would be. We have the momentum we have to dominate this overtime. Webber is the man he struggled early, but had 8 of his nineteen points in the fourth quarter. Lets go Sixers!

 

Now that my friends, is a heartbreaker.

 

Wow I'm speechless...

 

Man, Best Kept Secret told me Nate Robinson was getting open three's but missing. Then I said watch he'll make it when the game is on the line, and look at what happened......