<div align="center"> <font size=""4"">@</font> <font color=""red"">Miami Heat(13-10)</font> @ <font color=""darkred"">Philadelphia 76ers(12-11)</font> Arena: Wachovia Center Time:Friday, Dec 16, 8:00pm TV: ESPN <font color="red">Miami Heat</font> <font size=""1""><font color=""red"">PG</font>- Gary Payton <font color=""red"">SG</font>- Dwyane Wade <font color=""red"">SF</font>- James Posey <font color=""red"">PF</font>- Udonis Haslem <font color=""red"">C</font>- Shaquille O'Neal</font> <font size=""1"">Coach: Pat Riley</font> ____________________________ <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>- Samuel Dalembert</font> <font size=""1"">Coach: Maurice Cheeks</font> Keys to the Game <ul><font color="darkred">Control the Interior</font> The last meeting between these two teams, Dwyane Wade was able to score at will, especially in the paint. Wade got a numerous amount of layups and dunks, most of which came off picks. If Wade does that again, imagine what the outcome of the game will be, also add the most dominant player ever to play basketball into the equation. With that being said, the 76ers need to control the painted area tonight, that includes on defense and on the glass.[/list] <ul><font color="DarkRed">Offensive Balance</font> The 76ers have stressed getting everybody involved on offense. Against the Hawks Allen and Webber combined for nearly 70 points. Usually when that occurs the 76ers are either losing, or having a difficult time with a win and against the Hawks that did actually occur. Korver, Iguodala, and Dalembert need to step up and provide an offensive pressence tonight against the Heat, because you know their team will provide a well balanced attack.[/list] <ul><font color="DarkRed">Push the Tempo</font> The 76ers need to run the floor tonight, and make O'Neal work hard on defense. Shaq hasn't played much this season, so if Philly runs and makes Shaq run then hopefully he can fatigue some and not be as much of a force as he usually is.[/list] <div align="center"></div> The Sixers have won four games straight, and in each of those wins they 76ers outrebounded their opponents. The 76ers have won 10 of the last 11 games between these two teams in Philly. Not to mention the games are usually good games, I think Philly will come in and win one at home to extend their win streak to five.</div>
The Heat took complete control of this game when Iverson injured his thumb and went into the locker room. He's back now, but every basket has been easy for the Heat. The 76ers need to try and find a way to get the lead down to 10 before halftime. Right now Miami has it going inside and outside. The Heat are shooting 70% in the first half so far.
Sixers showing some life after a twenty point deficit. Narrowed it down to ten in about nine minutes to go in the fourth. Lets hope our guys get hot.
First of all sincere thanks to B-22 for filling in for me on such short notice, and doing a great job. Sorry about that, but I had a family emergency I needed to attend to. Now as far as the game goes the 76ers defense is horrendous how many times down the stretch did we see Wade get a uncontested dunk/lay up the 76ers team needs to work on staying in front of their man better. If they continue to pay like they did tonight on the defensive side of the ball they will never be anything other than a mediocre team. BTW: Anyone hear Steven A Smith trash the 76ers at half time?
I think the only positive I can get out of this is Shavlik Randolph. That guys is a friggin beast. Just looking at him, you would never think he would be one thats too effective on the boards. Boy did he prove me wrong. And listening to the Philadelphia crowd, its obvious he's just fortified himself as a fan favorite. Kudos to him. We need more guys like him that don't give up on plays and actually box out. As for the rest of the guys, I'm really disappointed in their defense. They weren't really fronting Shaq at all (something that seems to work well against Yao) and couldn't guard the paint. We had some nice momentum when we cut it to five points, but Iverson and Webber just couldn't convert on a fast break which led to Wade going to the other end and dunking on us. That killed us. Then when Walker hit that three point dagger, it was all over.
Yeah Randolph looks good. Shaq made Sammy look pretty bad, but then again he does that to just about everyone. I heard Stephen A Smith. The guy has no idea what hes talking about. When the Sixers are winning, he says he knew we were this good. But when we're losing he says we are garbage. Iggy needs to play agressive on offense just like he did in the 3rd quarter.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AI2AI888:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah Randolph looks good. Shaq made Sammy look pretty bad, but then again he does that to just about everyone. I heard Stephen A Smith. The guy has no idea what hes talking about. When the Sixers are winning, he says he knew we were this good. But when we're losing he says we are garbage. Iggy needs to play agressive on offense just like he did in the 3rd quarter.</div> Agreed, the man is a joke. The 76ers had their chances in the second half, but those missed free throws really hurt them. Iverson shooting 7 for 16 is rare and if he makes 7 more of those like he normally does, the 76ers would be right there to win this game. You have to wonder how bad his thumb really because his shooting touch was off. Huge rebounding edge for the Heat as well, they outrebounded the 76ers by 14!
Is it just me or is the Heat-Sixers series one of the more entertaining in the regular season? Watching Shaq & Wade going at it with Iverson & Webber is probably the best ticket money can buy in the NBA. One of the things I like the most is the respect they have for each other. After a great show they pay respect to each other. This was Wade last time they met: "It's tough to match him basket for basket," Wade said. "He's a great player. Him coming to the arena lifted my game to another level. Any time you play someone who's going to be a legend, you want to be up to the challenge." Last season after a game Iverson said he Shaq is the best player in the game and would love to play for him. Shaq returned the compliment. Here's what Pat Riley had to say about Iverson: "He's a great player. I'll tell you our nickname for him -- we call him "pound-for-pound.' He's pound-for-pound the toughest player out there. He's an inspiration." The best quote was when the Sixers beat the Lakers last season and Iverson said "Now Kobe Bryant knows what it feels like to be Allen Iverson. What he's going through now (without Shaq) I've been going through my whole career."
The 76ers definitely look lazy on defense. Miami penetrated and kicked out to wide open players on the perimeter, and when you have a good team those wide open shots are going to fall all night. And that is what exactly happened to Philly. I don't know what it's going to take but this team needs to get it together on defense. They can't stop people, and when your averaging 102 points a game, it is kind of difficult to win when your giving up more than that a game. Also this team got beat on the glass again, this team has to improve on everything except offense.
I htink this could become one of the better match-ups throughout the nex few years with AI and Wade. Both have such respect for each other and Shaq its a friendly rivalry and very entertaining.
