Preview Details: Who: (19-19) vs (18-22) Where: Wachovia Center When: Mon, Jan 19th, 2pm TV: CSN, NBALP Projected Lineups: PG: Brent Barry/Antonio Daniels/Luke Ridnour SG: Ray Allen/Ronald Murray/Richie Frahm SF: Rashard Lewis/Vladimir Radmanovic PF: Vladimir Radmanovic/Reggie Evans/Vitaly Potapenko C: Calvin Booth/Jerome James/Vitaly Potapenko Coached by Nate McMillan PG: Eric Snow/Allen Iverson/Aaron McKie SG: Allen Iverson/Aaron McKie/Kyle Korver SF: Glenn Robinson/John Salmons/Greg Buckner PF: Derrick Coleman/Amal McCaskill C: Samuel Dalembert/Zendon Hamilton Coached by Randy Ayers Injury List: Nick Collison: shoulder, season. Ansu Sesay: left ring finger sprain, on IL. 76er Injury List Marc Jackson: fractured left ring finger, on IL. Willie Green: sprained right thumb, on IL. Todd MacCulloch: foot neuropathy, on IL. Kenny Thomas: sprained right ankle, indefinite. Analysis: Seattle go into theit third game in four nights of an eastern roadtrip, currently mired in a four game losing streak. Not attacking the basket, lack of defensive intensity and just general sloppy play have been their downfalls, as they relinquish a once strong grip on a West playoff seed. Philadelphia have slipped to four games below .500 and come in off a loss to Memphis, but hold the advantage of being at home, and have superstar Allen Iverson back from injury. The Sonics need to start attacking the basket and fast, or their season could go into a tailspin. Good Times: After being drafted 43rd overall out of Michigan State by Milwaukee in 1995, Eric Snow's draft rights were traded to Seattle where he spent his first two and a half seasons as a little used back-up to Gary Payton. He was traded to Philadelphia for a second round draft choice midway through the 97/98 season, and has gone on to establish himself as one of the most reliable point guards and toughest defenders in the league. [quoteright]""It's almost like being a family. If you don't feel like something is going right, it's not wrong to voice your opinion. It's just the way that it's brought up." Seattle guard Antonio Daniels, after the team lost it's 4th straight game, in Washington 99-84.[/QUOTERIGHT] Key Factor: While Philadelphia's strength is from the perimeter, with Allen Iverson and Glenn Robinson providing the bulk of their scoring an Snow setting up the offense, but the key to this game may just be Seattle's interior players. The reason? Iverson and Robinson won't be troubled by the Sonics' perimeter defense, which means Seattle's big men will need to protect the basket. Booth had 10 blocks against Cleveland on Tuesday, James is capable of guarding the basket and Potapenko plays a tough brand of defense inside, and cutting off Iverson and co. and their routes to the basket will be vital. Key Matchup: Ray Allen vs Allen Iverson How much time these two see on eachother remains to be seen, but it's no secret each holds the key to his respective team's fortunes. Iverson could potentially cause Seattle a lot of trouble. They don't have a suitable match-up for Iverson defensively; Antonio Daniels is far and away the Sonics' best perimeter defender, but he gives away a lot in pace. Luke Ridnour is the Sonics' quickest guard, but he will be no match for Iverson defensively. Seattle will have to make sure their big men protect the basket and make life hard for Iverson once he gets to the basket. On the other hand, Ray Allen is a tough match-up for the 76ers to contain; Iverson gives away a lot in height, which means Allen has the ability to shoot over him. The advantage of having Brent Barry in the backcourt with him means that Iverson gives away height wheoever he faces, and both are excellent shooters. X-Factors: Reggie Evans - Seattle dearly need the intensity and hustle he gives them off the bench. Philadelphia sides are notorious for playing physical basketball and this one is no different, and Evans will need to bring his hard-nosed game off the bench. Kyle Korver - Philadelphia's answer to Richie Frahm, Korver hardly ever takes anything but a three pointer. However he makes a very high percentage of them, and could be a factor is the defense focuses too much on Iverson and Robinson. <font size="1">Player photos and logo images courtesy of NBA.com </font>
Nice preview Sir Desmond!Allen and Glenn have played nice ball over the last few games and I see them doing this game too,Sixers by 5
The key to his game is for other players to get involved, not just Allen and Glenn. Eric and Derrick did not step up at all in yesterday's loss to the Grizzlies. Derrick has been riding on a slump recently, and he needs to get out of it, he needs to pick up his offense and get shooting, or else this will be just another L to go in the books. If Derrick plays good, then this will be a win, if he doesn't then this will be another loss, simple as that. Let's go Sixers!
There is a reaon why the Sonics are doing better in their conference play (which is harder than Philly's), because they are a better team. Sonics by 5.
sonics are a live or die from 3 pointers team...so theres a 50/50 probability that they could win..if they are shooting good they'll win if not they'll lose..sixers by 5.
I love both teams players, meaning their individuals. I never really cared much for them as a team, the Sonics are great offensively anyway. I'm just hoping that the Sixers can pull up some wins so they can be back on the confidence. I'm not too sure who'll win here, but sadly I'll say Sonics by 8. I want Sixers to win though.
Soo hard to chose a winner, I like both teams but Im saying which ever star has the better production that will be the winner. Score will be by 8
I'll be at this game. Gonna be pretty exciting. I think it's gonna be one of those last shot games. Also, according to the Sixers website, Kenny Thomas will be back on Monday.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Magic Johnson:</div><div class="quote_post">They're playing the Cavs as well?</div> Check the dates. They play Philly on Monday, Cavs on Tuesday.
Well, another loss for Philadelphia, I was expecting this. I'll have the Postgame Report up in a minute or two, or 20.
Man this is getting REAL frustrating. AI was off....again....They had a 19 point lead and BLEW it. can someone please explain what in the world is going on? With this loss....Knicks might have a better record..........SCARY ...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting The-Answer:</div><div class="quote_post">Man this is getting REAL frustrating. AI was off....again....They had a 19 point lead and BLEW it. can someone please explain what in the world is going on? With this loss....Knicks might have a better record..........SCARY ...</div> This is what happened: Defense. Seattle played NONE in the first quarter, and then clamped right down in the next three conceeding only 18, 15 and 16. Gutsy win for Seattle, once again Ray showed how clutch he is down the stretch, almost outscored Philly in the last himself. Philly are 19-23, Knicks with their win today are 19-24.
<div align="center"><u>Post Game</u> 90<font color="White">||||||||||</font>81 <u>Breakdown</u></div> Well it's not much of a surprise it guys! The Sixers lost another close one, and a potential win. It gets real frustrating after a long time of losing, now I know how the Magic fans must feel. There is nothing much to say but talk about how bad a certain player played, and yes I'm picking on him again. Derrick Coleman. He is the sole reason that this game was lost, when you have your starter not getting involved it gets upsetting. So I have to hold Coach Ayers responsible for this as well, he is the one that said as "seeing Derrick, the starter now," there's your starter coach, he failed. I hope this shines some more light on Sammy, as he deserves the starting spot, and has proved time and time again, when he is put there, he excels. Though I don't want to go and blame just him, I have to shine some light on the players that deserve their due. The players that step up each game, and do not only attempt 4 shots (Derrick Coleman). Glenn Robinson has proven himself as the new leader of this team while Allen Iverson is injured, he has time and time again scored in the 20+ and has played solid defense as well. In the last five games, he is averaging 24.2 points, seven up from his season average, 6 rebounds, 1.2 up from his season average, and his scoring percentage (fg and 3pfg) have increased and are reaching the 60% mark. A phenomenal type of playing. Allen Iverson also tried to shine today as well, but was limited, probably due to his injury, or whatever it is that's bothering him now. His statline was 18 points, 3 assists, and 3 rebounds. We cannot go only relying on those two guys to carry us, and now mainly just one guy (Glenn), but the whole team needs to step up, basketball is a team game, and unless we pull together as a team, we'll continue on with the losing. <div align="center"><u>Player Statistics</u> Seattle 9 points - 7 rebounds - 9 assists 28 points - 7 rebounds - 3 assists 12 points - 7 rebounds - 3 assists 15 points - 4 rebounds - 1 assists 7 points - 3 rebounds - 0 assists Philadelphia 8 points - 3 rebounds - 7 assists 18 points - 3 rebounds - 3 assists 4 points - 8 rebounds - 0 assists 27 points - 8 rebounds - 1 assists 0 points - 7 rebounds - 0 assists <u>Statistical Breakdown</u> Field Goals: 31/79 (Sixers) - 33/82 (Sonics) 3-Pointers: 3/14 (Sixers) - 8/26 (Sonics) Free Throws: 16/21 (Sixers) - 16/23 (Sonics) Rebounds: 46 (Sixers) - 42 (Sonics) Assists: 18 (Sixers) - 22 (Sonics) Steals: 4 (Sixers) - 10 (Sonics) Blocks: 3 (Sixers) - 3 (Sonics) <u>Player of the Game</u> </div> Ray Allen. The heart and soul of the Seattle Supersonics proves again why he is such a great player. He got his team another win, while making the Sixers lose another time. His stat-line speaks for itself: 28, 7, & 3. <div align="center"><u>Five As One</u></div> <div align="center"></div> I came across that just a minute ago while seeking information about this game, and it caught my eye. Seems as if the Sonics are doing this, playing as a team, and we aren't. Weird huh?
