<div align="center"><u>Details</u> <font color="White">||</font> [17-19]<font color="White">||||||</font>[9-25] When: Saturday, January 10th Where: The MCI Center: Washington D.C. Time: 7:00 P.M. TV: NBALP <u>Lineups</u> Washington Philadelphia <u>Coaches</u> Washington Philadelphia <u>Not Playing</u> Washington Jerry Stackhouse - recovering from arthroscopic surgery Chris Whitney - cause unknown Philadelphia Aaron McKie - left hamstring strain Willie Green - right thumb surgery Marc Jackson - left ring finger fracture Todd MacCulloch - foot neuropathy</div> For Philadelphia two players are announced as a game-time decision: Allen Iverson and Derrick Coleman. I have a feeling that they will both play as they are only listed for shoulder contusions, nothing serious. <div align="center"> </div> <div align="center"><u>Analysis</u></div> Tonight we are going in to play against a very weak Washington Wizards team, but no team should be underestimated. However we have had some history with the Wizards in the past couple of years, the last six consecutive meetings between the two teams have resulted in a win by the 76ers. That alone speaks for itself, but another unfortunate thing for the Wizards is that they are without star forward Jerry Stackhouse who is still recovering from arthroscopic surgery performed in October. That also will help us in playing better and possibly getting the win tonight. They are also without point guard Chris Whitney, which causes Gilbert Arenas to not have a secure backup for himself. The 76ers need to keep up the same kind of play that they have been showing lately. This is a play where they start strong and don't cool off, as is the case with the previous Clippers and Nets games. We need someone who will start off firing as did Glenn Robinson last night against the New Jersey Nets, which was a beautiful effort by him. The intensity shown by Allen Iverson during the closing minutes of the game against the Nets will be needed as well tonight. He needs to find his shot early on, and help us secure the win early on. <div align="center"><u>Key Factors</u></div> The key factors of this game are for us just to come out strong offensively, defensively I think we will do just fine. Kwame Brown may be the hardest opponent for us, at defense mostly, but a seasoned veteran like Kenny Thomas should be able to hold his own against him. I think a defensive backcourt of Derrick Coleman and Kenny Thomas should be able to keep down the young players of the Wizards. If all else fails, we can put in Samuel Dalambert and let him start his own blockfest. <div align="center"><u>One-On-One</u> </div> The one-on-one matchup would ultimetely go down between Jerry Stackhouse and Allen Iverson but since he is out, Gilbert Arenas takes on that role. Earlier this season Gilbert Arenas lit up the sixers with 40-something points, look for him to do the same this time around, also because he will want to prove himself yet again. Allen should be able to hold him off though, with his superb defensive play, and just his quick hustle. <div align="center"><u>X-Factor</u></div> <div align="center"></div> A likely backup to Glenn Robinson, Kyle is a rookie with a veterans play, and enthusiasm. I once again list him as the X-Factor because he has so much in him, and I was surprised that he didn't get many minutes last night against New Jersey. If he does get a decent amount of time this time around, I think he will shine. Against a team like Washington he won't have a hard time getting his shot to flow, even though Jarvin Hayes will be guarding him. <div align="center"><u>Special Events</u></div> <div align="center"></div> The first 10,000 fans to enter MCI Center Saturday night will receive a Wizards backpack, sponsored by MCI. This one of a kind backpack features three different storage compartments, two mesh side pockets and the Wizards logo embroidered on the lower pocket. "It is always an event when Allen Iverson returns to DC, and Saturday night will be no exception," said Washington Sports and Entertainment President Susan O'Malley. "We have some seats available and a great backpack free to the first 10,000 fans."
Good preview. I think the 76ers will win this one. Iverson finally gets back on track with this game. He will explode for 30+ points. 76ers by 7.
LOL@the last part. Sounds as if you were advertising for the bag. Really nice preview though btw. I think that matchup will be the Key Factor as well, if Arenas can contain AI, it'll probably be a sure win. Derrick Coleman will be back to his slow, lazy ass self. Both sides have great shooters and offensive ability and will just have to contend for boards and loose balls. 76ers have it in the bag if Robinson plays as well as he did in the last game. Good luck to both teams, no prediction from me, seems too even.
Funny stuff about the Derrick Coleman part, it's true though. He could have been something great, and was projected as being one of the better power forwards, guess that just went out the door. Even though he may be lazy and slow and stuf, he still gets it done. He gives us great defensive pressure at times, and can hit the three at times as well. I don't think it's even, I think the Sixers have a great load of an advantage because of Jerry's absence.
Great preview Sasha. If I remember correctly, when these teams played earlier this year AI and Arenas both had HUGE performances. I think that the same will happen tonight, but now that they have Big Dog the 76ers will prevail. If AI's outside shot is falling, it will be all over. I would like to see AI penetrate less in this game, unless he plans on dishing it to either Coleman or GRob. Sixers by 11.
Hopefully they'll give the young buck an opportunity tonight. Korver hasn't played much in the past few games.
Too much power by the 76ers for the Wizards to handle. If they dont contain Iverson it will be a blow out Sixers by 3
Nine minutes into the game and the Sixers are up 17-14. Allen has 5 points on 2/4 shooting and it seems as if Glenn is going big again, he has 6 points already for 3/5 shooting.
Sixers by 12, Wizards are tired after their bad performance last night and Sixers have way too much firepower. Great preview Sasha.
At the end of the first, the Wizards have come out strong as they have grabbed the lead, 23-19. Larry Hughes is on fire, with 15 points already, but has taken 12 shots. Allen Iverson seems to have cooled off as his last couple of shots haven't fallen down, he still had 5 points and is shooting at 2/7. Derrick hasn't participated much as he only has 2 points so far, on 1/2 shooting. We need more people to step up, especially with Larry's huge playing.
The Wizards continue to take on the control of the game, thanks only to the play of Larry Hughes, who has 20 points. Iverson has still not made anything and is smack dab at five points. Glenn Robinson has 10 points and is the only Sixers with double digists. The Wiz are up 32-31 with 4:24 to go in the second quarter.
Wizards - Sixers 46-43 Halftime Both teams are shooting good from the field. Sixers 43% Wizards 44% Larry Hughes (11-18) 28 Points. Kwame Brown (2-3) 6 points 9 boards. Allan Iverson (4-13) 9 points 3 dimes and 4 TO. Glenn Robinson (4-8) 12 points 2 boards.
