11/20/04 Philadelphia 76ers @ Miami Heat Game Preview <font color="DarkRed">Philadelphia 76ers (15-16)</font> @ <font color="Green">Minnesotta TimberWolves (16-14)</font> Time: 8:00 PM, EST Location: Target Center TV: ESPN2 ____________________ <u>Last Metting</u> Minnesotta 119, Philadelphia 84 ____________________ <u>Starting Five</u> <font color="DarkRed">Philadelphia 76ers</font> C- Samuel Dalembert F- Kenny Thomas F- Andre Iguodala G- John Salmons G- Allen Iverson* <font size="1">*- Denotes Game-time Decision</font> Head Coach- Jim O?Brien <font color="Green">Minnesotta Timerwolves</font> C- Michael Olowokandi F- Kevin Garnett F- Wally Szczerbiak G- Latrell Sprewell G- Sam Cassell Head Coach- Flip Saunders ____________________ <u>Key Matchup</u> Players To Watch <font color="DarkRed">Philadelphuia 76ers</font> <font color="DarkRed">Allen Iverson:</font> PPG: 28.9, FG%: 42%, APG: 7.1 ____________________ Keys To The Game <font color="DarkRed">Philadelphia 76ers</font> <ul>Timerwolves Supporting Cast The 76ers must look to put pressure on the Timerwolves supporting cast. Kevin Garnett will come nad play every single night and brings the intensity in every game, however despite Garnett MVP type numbers he's been posting as of late, the Timerwolves just cant seem to win. So it obvious if a player is doing his part and his team is lossing, the supporting cast is to blame. That said the 76ers must look to contain the supporting cast. In the last confornation between both teams the 76ers gave Garnett way too much attention and Griffin, Spreweel and Cassel thrived off of tghe open shots they recieved. So look for some changes tonight because Gatrnett will get his reagrdless, and the supporting cast should be the main focus.[/list] <ul>Look To Score The numbers speak for itself. When the 76ers score 100+ points they've posted a record of 12-2, while when the Timberwolves score 100+ points they are 3-8. And lookin at the offensive rhytm the 76ers has been in as of late, and the lackadasical Timberwolves defense, the 76ers must attack and look to get 100+ points because if they do, it's most likely they can pull awawy with wa win.[/list] <ul>Confidence/Take Care OF Buieness They should head into this game with the same mindset they had against the Seattle Supersonics. The 76ers are major underdogs despite the way they have been playing as well as the Timerwolves. So the 76ers must keep their heads up and just simply continue what they've been doing throughout this whole road trip.[/list] __________________ Personal Prediction- I think the 76ers will take this game. But they MUST contain Wade and company. I can't stress it enough on how important that factor is especially with the way Wade has been performing as of late. So if they can do that, and stay aggressive on the boards and at the same time attack the paint, I think the 76ers will take this game. 76ers 99, Heat 86
I don't think Jackson or Dalembert will able to contain Shaq unless they endlessly foul him and force him to make foul shots. I see Miami winning this 105-89.
Update! <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Allen Iverson - out, right elbow contusion -- Will not travel to Miami for game on 11/21 Glenn Robinson - out, left ankle tendinitis</div> <div align="center">Link</div> I still have faith in this team, and I for one believe that they can still pull of a MAJOR upset. However, in actuality they're chances has been shot down dramatically and from a non-fan standpoint, they don't really have much a chance. :/
After I read that Iverson's not going to play, then my hopes just dropped. There's noway the Sixers will score enough points to beat the Heat. Who on the team right now can score more than 20 points. NOONE. Heat take a easy one
Without AI the Sixers hopes of haviing a chance at winning went right down the toilet. THis will be a great game to watch espcially since I can watch it. Shaq will take advantage of their shortage and doominate. Shaq will have his best game of the year so far I think. With out Iverson to get Shaq in foul trouble by driving into the lane the Sixers are done. The Sixers without AI will be in a shock is it is their first game of the season he is out. Hopefully Bruce Bowen didn't screw AI up too badly like he did to Vince Carter. Prediction: Heat by 19
If Iverson is out start Green at the 1, Iguodala at the 2, and Korver at the 3! My prediction is a little surprise here, Sixers by 2. Sixers matchup pretty well against Wade is they put Iggy up against him or Green. Hopefully the Sixers can make a quick deal for Mutombo before the game to contain Shaq
With A.I. out, I doubt we can come up with a win. The 76ers need to stop Wade who can just light it up if he gets on a roll. I say double-team Shaq if he catches on fire too. The Heat are probally still pumped from the Wade gamewinner on Friday so it may be tough to slow them down.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">You expect to beat the Heat in Miami by 13?</div> Yup, and I would stand by that if Iverson was playing. But now that he's going to sit this game out, there is like a one out of a million chance of that happening, but I still think this team can pull out a win. However, they are going to need a miracle for that to happen but it's most likely that the Heat will win anyways. But I just got faith in this squad and anything can happen.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Avery:</div><div class="quote_post">Yup, and I would stand by that if Iverson was playing. But now that he's going to sit this game out, there is like a one out of a million chance of that happening, but I still think this team can pull out a win. However, they are going to need a miracle for that to happen but it's most likely that the Heat will win anyways. But I just got faith in this squad and anything can happen.</div> You do realize we are going up against Shaq, right?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">You do realize we are going up against Shaq, right?</div> You do realize that's the same thing Lakers fans said to the Pistons fans in 2004 Finals, right?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Avery:</div><div class="quote_post">You do realize that's the same thing Lakers fans said to the Pistons fans in 2004 Finals, right?</div> You do realize that this is the regular season, right? Just kidding. Philadelphia doesn't stand a chance, not that many other teams would. Miami will out-score and out-rebound Philadelphia by quite a bit, especially without Iverson. Not much more to say, I haven't spent much time studying Philadelphia. However, I have studied Miami for quite some time, and they will definently win, it would be quite the upset if they didn't. Miami: 99 Philadelphia: 82
Philadelphia 47, Miami 45 <u>Top Preformers</u> <u>76ers</u> Willie Green: 4 Pts, 3 Rebounds, 6 Assists Kyle Korver: 11 Points, 4-5 FG (3-4 3Pt) Kenny Thomas/Corliss Williamson: 10 Points <u>Heat</u> Dwyane Wade: 17 Points (4-4 FG), 2 Rebounds, 3 Assists Shaquille O'Neal: 11 Points (4-4 FG), 6 Rebounds, 4 Blocks
