<div align="center"> <font color="DarkGreen">Boston Celtics (14-21)</font> at <font color="DarkRed">Philadelphia 76ers (17-18) </font> Place: Friday, Jan. 13, 8:00pm vs. Celtics TV: CSN, ESPN2 <font size=""1""> Philadelphia hopes to get back to .500 after losing Wednesday night?s contest against the Utah Jazz. The league's second leading scorer, Allen Iverson dropped 46 points, but to no avail as the 76ers dropped their first home game to a western conference opponent all season. Chris Webber scored 21 points, 18 of which came in the first half, in his first game back from injury. Boston recorded an 110-103 triumph over Philadelphia on November 30, despite a 40 effort from Allen Iverson.</font> </div> [div=50%] <font size=""1""> <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> <font size="3">Season Stats</font> Leading Scorer: Allen Iverson - 33.7 PPG Leading Rebounder: Chris Webber - 10.2 RPG Assist Man: Allen Iverson - 7.4 APG The 'X' Factor: Andre Iguodala (11.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 2.8 APG) [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/allen_iverson.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkred">Allen Iverson </font> PPG: 33.7, RPG: 3.3, APG: 7.4 Allen Iverson goes big, but the 76ers come up short, the storyline of the season so far. Allen Iverson exploded for 46 points against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, but the 76ers lost by six points. AI has been a constant thus far this season for the 76ers, unfortunately, not much else has been. A high school caliber defense and erratic play from role players has been the downfall of the 76ers. As he goes up against some young Celtic point guards tonight I would not expect anything less out of AI then a big game. Allen seemed to be stressing defense during his post game news conference so maybe he will inspire his team to give a better effort tonight. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/andre_iguodala.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkred">Andre Iguodala </font> PPG: 11.9, RPG: 5.9, APG: 2.8 Andre Iguodala has been averaging an impressive 15 points per game thus far in the month of January. Cheeks seems to finally be trying to get Dre involved in the offense more as he is averaging three more shot attempts a game. Despite his great play this month he was a virtual none factor in the 76ers defeat at the hands of the Jazz, scoring single digit points, and missing timely shots. Dre has struggled with his offense thus far this year at home averaging a point and a half less per game during the 76ers 17 home games this year. In the midst of a home stand, in which seven of their next ten games are at home, the 76ers will require Dre to step up if they hope to win. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kyle_korver.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkred">Kyle Korver </font> PPG: 12.4, RPG: 3.8, APG: 4.3 After having a nice month in November Korver has digressed a bit averaging two points less per game this month. Kyle has been a nice option for the 76ers at times this season, but at others he has been simple for lack of a better word horrible. Korver symbolizes exactly what is wrong with the 76ers this season, inconsistency, his scoring average have been up and down all year from ten points in the first month of the year, up to 14, and down to 12 again. Korver is on a streak of games in which he has made a three pointer, and has been playing well as of late he will be a big key if we hope to win tonight. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/chris_webber.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkred">Chris Webber</font> PPG: 19.8, RPG: 10.2, APG: 3.2 Chris Webber had a big game in the first half for the 76ers on Wednesday, key word first half. After going for 18 points in the first 24 minutes he was held to only three points in the next 24. Again reiterating what is wrong with the 76ers, inconsistency, down the stretch Webber was a virtual none factor shooting blanks every time he touched the ball. Cheeks either needs to start limiting his minutes or starts looking to someone else down the stretch, because this is not the first occasion in which this has happened. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/samuel_dalembert.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkred">Samuel Dalembert </font> PPG:8.5, RPG: 10.1, APG: 0.7 If Sammy could ever go a game without getting into foul trouble, the 76ers might be an above average team. Dalembert has been the only starter receiving limited minutes this season, and it is not because Cheeks is trying to limit Sammy, but rather Sammy cannot stay out of foul trouble. Moses Malone is back in town working with the big men again so hopefully he teaches Sammy something about positioning, timing, and rotating on defense. [/div] <font color="DarkGreen"> Boston Celtics</font> <font size=""1""><font color=""darkgreen"">PG</font>- Delonte West <font color=""darkgreen"">SG</font>-Ricky Davis <font color=""darkgreen"">SF</font>-Paul Pierce <font color=""darkgreen"">PF</font>- Raef Lafrentz <font color=""darkgreen"">C</font>- Kendrick Perkrins</font> <font size=""1"">Coach: Doc Rivers</font> <font size="3">Season Stats</font> Leading Scorer: Paul Pierce- 26.5 PPG Leading Rebounder: Paul Pierce- 7.5 RPG Assist Man: Ricky Davis- 5.3 APG The 'X' Factor: Al Jefferson (7.9 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 0.6 APG) [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/delonte_west.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkgreen">Delonte West</font> PPG: 10.9, RPG: 4.0, APG: 4.3 The young second year guard out of St. Josephs has improved on every major statistical category this season. However, it has not been enough to propel his team to a winning record. After winning the Atlantic last season the Celtics are seven games under .500 and reeling. West, being the point guard, will have to find some way to make the most out of this offense, and get the best out of his fellow starters tonight. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/ricky_davis.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkgreen">Ricky Davis</font> PPG: 20.2 PPG, RPG: 4.8, APG: 5.3 Ricky Davis is quietly having the best season of his career. He is averaging some nice all around numbers as Pierce?s running mate, and who knows before the season is over he might be ?the man? in Boston. He enters tonight?s contest coming off one of his better games of the season 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. He will look to build on those numbers against a less than overwhelming 76ers defense. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/paul_pierce.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkgreen">Paul Pierce </font> PPG: 26.4, RPG: 7.5, APG: 4.6 Despite the fact he is having a career season, trade rumors have been synonyms with Paul Pierce this season. From the off season to just last weekend his name has been brought up in a number of different trade scenarios. How will he play after the most recent rumors that arose earlier in the week? We will have to see tonight. He will be guarded by possibly the only guy on the 76ers defense with any sort of defensive awareness in Andre Iguodala. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/raef_lafrentz.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkgreen">Raef Lafrentz</font> PPG: 7.8, RPG: 4.8, APG: 0.9 Why this guy is starting over Al Jefferson is beyond my understanding, but as long as he is I suppose I have to offer some type of analysis on him. Raef is a solid veteran, but playing on a Celtics team with so much young talent he seems somewhat out of place. Some unlikely people have torched the 76ers this season so who knows maybe Lafrentz will be that guy to do it tonight. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kendrick_perkins.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkgreen">Kendrick Perkins</font> PPG: 2.7, RPG: 4.8, APG: 0.9 Though his stats don?t jump off the page at you Perkins was a Sixer killer the last time these two teams squared off. He put together some of the best statistics of his career. Hopefully the 76ers will be able to contain them tonight with Sammy at 100%. Even though Samuel?s defensive awareness is nothing to brag about he is still a better rebounder and shot blocker than Steven Hunter. </font> <font size=""1""><div align="center"> </div> <ul><font color="DarkRed"><font size=""1"">Rebound</font></font> <font size=""1"">the 76ers lose when they don?t rebound well it?s a well-documented story. When the 76ers actually do decide to come out and put forth an effort they tend to win, which is once every three games it seems like. The 76ers have the upper hand when it comes to rebounding among their big men tonight, at least on paper. </font>[/list] <ul><font color="DarkRed"><font size=""1"">Consistency</font></font> <font size=""1"">I would rather see Webber score nine in the first half and twelve in the second. As opposed to 18 in the first and a mere three when it counts, which is down the stretch. Cheeks please limit his minutes tonight so he can play some kind of factor down the stretch. This key extends far past Webber though, it goes out to Korver, Dre, Salmons, and Hunter I'm tired of these Dr. Jackal and Mr. Hid performances please come out and play up to your abilities. </font>[/list] <ul><font color="DarkRed"><font size=""1"">Bench Scoring</font></font> <font size=""1"">the bench has struggled this season, it is no secret to anyone. They have struggled to find scoring in the second unit, and when they have found that rare scoring ability *cough* Nailon *cough* it has not mattered because all the points he was scoring on the offensive end he was giving up on the defensive side. Please bench show why the 76ers pay you so much money tonight.</font>[/list] <div align="center"></div> <ul><font color="DarkGreen"><font size=""1"">Second chance opportunities</font></font> <font size=""1""> the 76ers score a lot of points, so for the Celtics to stay with them tonight they will need to create extra opportunities for themselves on the offensive side. Not only does that mean connecting on their shots, but rebounding on the offensive side as well.</font>[/list] <ul><font color="DarkGreen"><font size=""1"">Attack the basket</font></font> <font size=""1"">if you attack the basket against the 76ers it?s a guarantee that you will get at least four points, because lord knows Sammy gets at least two goal tending calls a contest. Not only that, but he hacks every other time a player drive the lane. If you can get Sammy into foul trouble early, not that hard, you will have a good chance at pulling out a win.</font>[/list] <ul><font color="DarkGreen"><font size=""1"">Find a third scoring option</font></font> <font size=""1""> the Celtics need someone to step up and be that third option on the offensive side in order to be successful tonight. They can not rely on Davis and Pierce to get them the bucket every time down the court. Should a Delonte West or Mark Blount step up the Celtics will put themselves in great position to pull out a win.</font>[/list] <div align="center"></div> The 76ers need a win, the Celtics have struggled thus far this season, and thus I will predict a 76ers victory. However, at the same time I would not be surprised to see the Celtics pull off an upset. The Celtics match up very well against the 76ers and the Sixers always seem to have trouble putting the green away. With some of the loses the Sixers have suffered this season (Hawks, Blazers, etc) anything is possible. </font>
once again, nice preview, and sorry i wasnt able to help. i think the sixers will win this game and need to win this game. the celtics are a bunch of youngsters so hopefully AI and webber will show them a thing or two about being in the league. i just hope that the sixers get out all their frustrations out in this game. the main reason why the sixers are struggling is because they arent playing any defense! i hope this changes tonight, because if they let loose peirce and davis can catch on fire.
Nice preview, yeah Pierce always has a big game against us, we just have to limit the other guys. I predict a 102-98 Sixers win.
The key to this game is rebounding. The last game between these two teams, the 76ers let Perkins have a huge night on the glass and that played a hufe role in the 76ers loss to them earlier this season. Almost as important is balance on offense! The 76ers are not at their best when AI and C Webb are combining for 60+ points, but when most of the starters have high scoring games.
This is prolly the most amazing game thread ive seen I just found this place so i figyad id join up Ill be at this game tonight if i Can get pictures or anything ill bring em back here we had a long practice yesterday hopefully we figured something out during it We need to string together some wins and get back on New Jerseys tail hopefully it starts tonight
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PhillysAnswer:</div><div class="quote_post">This is prolly the most amazing game thread ive seen I just found this place so i figyad id join up Ill be at this game tonight if i Can get pictures or anything ill bring em back here we had a long practice yesterday hopefully we figured something out during it We need to string together some wins and get back on New Jerseys tail hopefully it starts tonight</div> hey, nice! i hope you bring us some pics.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">This is prolly the most amazing game thread ive seen I just found this place so i figyad id join up Ill be at this game tonight if i Can get pictures or anything ill bring em back here we had a long practice yesterday hopefully we figured something out during it We need to string together some wins and get back on New Jerseys tail hopefully it starts tonight</div> BKS got the magic like that. Enjoy your stay. As for this game, the Sixers better win. Nuff said. Sloppy, exciting, grind it out, boring, 4 overtimes etc. it doesn't matter. This is a must win. The Nets got a tough schedule and we play them soon and this is a winnable game as well as the next 3-4 games so right now is the time to make up some ground.
These teams are scoring at will out there. The defensive effort has been there on the 76ers side of the ball, but they have not boxed out, and thus that great 24 second defense has gone to waste. The 76ers are shooting 80% from the field leading 19-17 Allen all ready has eight points. AI made a behind the back pass to Andre Iguodala that was straight up nasty, just ask Lafrentz who got dunked on.
This has been an exciting game so far. That behind-the-back pass from Iverson to Iguodala, who then slammed it on Raef Lafrentz, was great.
Alright, this is really starting to get on my nerves so from now on I’m going to track Sammy’s goal tending violations. So far tonight he has one which was one of the worse defensive plays I have ever seen. Blount missed the shot it was coming down, and Sammy slaps the back board? A eight point lead is now a four point deficit pace has slowed down considerable since the first quarter.
ok. all i have to say is horrible horrible horrible. this sixers team cant do ****! im so pissed now!
Our rebounding is atrocious, the Celtics where down by eight now they are up by eight. They are getting so many second chance opportunities it is embarrassing we are making the Celtics big men look like all stars, and don’t even get me started on the defensive rotation Ricky Davis could throw a tea party from the three point line before a 76ers defender gets there. On the bright side Iguodala has made Pierce a complete non-factor. Our bench has come in, and played some good minutes Bradley has come up with some tough rebounds down low. He has shown why he gets limited playing time though he has had a couple of rebounds pocked away from him, and has been called for some fouls that just leave you wondering what he was thinking. Man I hate listening to Bill Walton call a basketball game. He goes off topic so many times, and then starts talking about Artest and Orlando rather than the game. Man now at half time when I finally get a break from Walton I have to listen to Steven A Smith. Knew I should have gone see Glory Road.
For all the people who rip Dalembert, have you seen Korver play defensive?n He is absolutly horrible on defense. And then Barnes or Salmons move to his position and play horrible D. Salmons at least can stay with his man. We are too slow, thats our problem. We dont rotate.
Big time come back lead by who else, but Allen Iverson. Man I don’t even want to think about what is going to happen to this team when AI retires. The momentum really shifted when Dre got fouled on a three pointer and hit all three free throws though.
Double overtime, swear to god Webber has no clutch ability once so ever. He is like Todd Pinkston trying to catch the ball across the middle when the game gets into the last minute. If we lose this game I blame Webber he got a rebound at the end of the first OT with three second left in the game, and doesn’t call a timeout to advance the ball or throw up a shot? I guess he was scared of a Michigan repeat happening. AI is playing his heart out showing why he is , at the age of 30, still better then 99% of guards playing the game.
Wow Instant Korver triple OT. Kyle Korver just got off my list off “players the 76ers need to get rid of” what a shot. AI playing his heart out like I said before. Webber is just I don’t even know any more his stat line is good, but he is no where near clutch at all. I think this could be the game to turn our season around if we win.
THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN! THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!vTHE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!THE SIXERS WIN!v
Best game of the season, incredible. I was hard on Webber but he made the game winning steal it was a great game. I think this is the start of something big. Wow, all I can really say both Webber and AI went for over 30. Wow, I need one of those Kyle Korver bobble heads.
Wow. Just wow. I'll comment more later, too much adrenaline from watching us coming back from sixteen point deficit, to a Korver buzzer beater, to Webber stealing the ball in clutch minutes of third overtime.
