<div align="center"> Phiadelphia 76ers (11-14) @ Portland Trail Blazers (13-12) Date: December 27th, 2004 10:00 pm (local time) TV:NBALP, CSN Last Games Blazers 104, Bucks 95 (W) Sixers 102, Pacers 90 (W) </div> As a interim head coach in the 200-01 season Jim O'Brien led the Celtics for 48 games to a .500 record (24-24). During his time in Boston Jim O'Brien led the Boston Celtics to the Eastern Conference finals, and a eventual lose in six games to the New Jersey nets. Last season O'Brien abruptly left the Celticsmid way through there season after the trade of his two favorite players Eric Williams and Tony Battie. The Sixers had also at the time lost there own coachLarry Brown at the time to the Detroit Pistons after a six game lose to the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the playoffs. They tried to have Randy Ayers as there replacement, but to no avail as he would be fired before all star break. The job would then fall to interm head coach Ford who's problems with star Allen Iverson and old school coaching style cost much contriversy in a some what hopeless losing season. Then the Sixers search lead them to home town native Jin O'Brien. JO has tryed many different lineups as head coach of the 76ers so far this season the only constant of the five starters being Allen Iverson and Andre Igoudala. We can not say that he has lived up to expectations as coach so far this year, but he is getting there. They have come off a couple clos egames, and nice wins lately they are only two games out of the lead in the Atlantic division <div align="center"> Sammy Dalembert -PPG 5.3 RPG 6.80 APG .6 Kenny Thomas- PPG 9.0 RPG 6.5 APG 1.3 Andre Iguodala- PPG 8.4 RPG 5.2 APG 2.4 Willie Green- PPG 8.0 RPG 2.5 APG 2.0 Allen Iverson- PPG 28.7 RPG 3.9 APG 7.2</div> <div align="center"> Kyle Korver- PPG 11.4 RPG 3.8 APG 2.1</div> Sammy Dalembert has not been incredable the last three games, and he looks to slowly be working his way back into JO's dog house his minutes have been on a steady decline. On the 18th he played 37 minutes, then 29 on the 20th, and only 18 last game. His numbers on both end of the court have been going down as well esepcially on the offensive end of the court he has failed to reach double digit scoring the last three games, and only reached double digit rebounding (15 rebounds) once in the last three games. We will need a big game out of him to be successful against the Blazers. they have a very talented defensive center in Theo. I would expect this game to be dominated by both of these players defenses there offensive games are nothing spectacular, both average mediocre offensive numbers for a NBA player these days. Kenny Thomas who has had a lower back injury he has had to play through injuries the last couple of games. I expect him to come out and be ready to perform in this game coming off five days rest since the 76ers last game was on the 22nd of December and this game will take place on December 27th. He is a average double double guy make no mistake about it his numbers make you think different. The only down side for Kenny in his matchup is his size he will be over powered and over sized by Randolph so the perinnel all star may be able to exploit his game even more this night. I think our best hope in this matchup is to have a mix of Corliss Williamson, and maybe I do not see this happen often, but to go big in the front court have Marc Jackson at power forward, and Sammy at Center on the floor at the same time. Andre Igouodala has been very impressive for us so far this year in rookie standards. He had a good game against the Pacers in all areas of the game. He scored 8 points and had 5 assists and 3 steals. As far as steals go he is one of the best in the league he as a rookie averages 1.72 steals a game which is good enough for 11th in the NBA. he also ranks 9th in the NBA in total steals, 13th in the NBA in steals per 48 minutes and 8th in steals per turnover. Willie Green is or was last season prejected to be the 76ers rising leader of the future as a second round pick little was expected from Willie in the NBA, but last season when AI went down with the injury he took the most of his oppurtunity to play.During rookie season (2003-04), had three 20-point games including a career-high 26 points at Atlanta (4/6/04), the most points scored by a Sixers rookie since Tim Thomas (27 points, 2/14/98 vs. NJ). So far this season he has yet to score over seventeen points and has not scored double digits the last three games as well as only reaching double digit scoring eight times in the Sixers first 25 games not counting the pre season where he scored double digits five times. They will need a big game from Willie Green to have a winning night in this game.He is averaging as many points as Iggy is averaging this year, and both are known to have big scoring nights on random occassions so I would not be surprised to see either bust out for a 20 point game in this game. Finally, team captin Allen Iverson he is averaging 45 points in the last three contests he has scored 51-54- and 40 points. He has also taken the lead from Kobe Bryant and is leading the NBA in point per game. He has also shot high 40% to low 50% these last few games. He has lifted his field goal percentage to 42% the highest percentage he has shot in the last five years the las ttime he averaged 42% shooting from the field was in his MVP season in 2001. Besides being ranked 1st in the NBA in points per game AI, The Answer is ranked 4th in steals per game the duo of him and Iggy on defense are a horror to the offensive players. Theyw ill look to take advantage of the Blazers in this game, and get out on the break to run there "run and gun" offense more often. I cant wait to see if it works.Iverson is also ranked 5th in the league in asssits per game he will be looking to get his teammates involved in this game which is something we will need. Then our sixth man off the bench Kyle Korver. He is ranked currently second in the NBA in three point field goals made, 2nd in three point field goals made per 48 minutes, and fifth in three point field goals attempted. I think it is good that unlike Walker he attempts threes and makes them I think it may hurt us and him in the long run he is enough of a offensive player to be at least a option on offense to take the pressure off of AI, but he often has some games where his shot is not on, and he does not produce he needs to add a mid range jumper to his game it would give him a whole new demention to his game, and us a whole new offensive threat for defenders. <div align="center"> </div> Former Philadelphia 76ers great Maurice Cheeks has done the best possible coaching job with the team he has been given in Portland the 76ers tried as hard as they could a couple of seasons ago to try to get permission to speak with Cheeks to try and make him the new Philadelphia coach when Larry Brown left, but they where never granted permission by the Blazers orginization. The Blazers new they had a great coach, and did not want to lsoe him this game should be good just to see two Philadelphia native coaches go head to head. Cheeks has a lot of talent on his roster in the point guard posiiton trouble is there are so many egos he has to deal with NVE's constant retirement promises, Stoudamire jsut being Stoudamire, and how to develope young Sebastian Telfier into a future good point guard all these things, and they still have a decent record. They have a very deep front court as we will see this game though I think if the Bulls can match up well with this team we can as well. <div align="center"> Theo Ratliff -PPG 4.7 RPG 5.6 APG .5 Zach Randolph- PPG 20.7 RPG 10.8 APG 2.2 Shareef Abdual Raheem-PPG 15.3 RPG 7.8 APG 1.3 Derek Anderson- PPG 11.9 RPG 3.5 APG 3.4 Nick Van Exel-PPG 8.8 RPG 2.1 APG 2.8</div> <div align="center"> Damon Stoudamire-PPG 10.8 RPG 3.5 APG 5.6</div> Nick Van Exel earned the starting point guard spot a few game sago with the blazers and has performed relativly well. He has said though that he will probably retire at the end of the year (like we have not heard that one before) so he is still causing contriversy for the team. It may lead to a trade with some team though looking for cap releaf when he retires if it is true. Derek Anderson over the years has been said to be one of the guys on the worst NBA team to fit his attitude. Players who play with Portland are said known to have run ins with the laws, but Anderson has kept his nose clean his entire time in Portland probably one of the reasons he is still there after Portlands "cleaning up ther eidentity moves". By trading Wells, Sheed, and others. The only ones who has caused problems for the team before still on the team are Stoudamire who's contract ends soon, and Patterson. Reef has been said to be on the block for a while now, and is or at least was unhappy in Portland. the Blazers have tried to trade him in trades involving the Sixers, Raptors, and Nets, but he is still a Blazer a quarter way into the season so who knows the Blazers second leading scorer may be a Blazer for a while since they will not want to just let him walk when he hits free agency they will try to resign him. Theo seems like he has below average numbers, but when you look at his blocking average 2.66 a game you see why he starts for the Blazers, and what he does for them he anchores there defense, and keeps people out of the paint with fear of being rejected he is the Blazers version of what Charles Oakly was for the Knicks there enforcer in the paint. So I want to see who has a bigger defensive game him or SD. It will be one of the matchups of the night imo. There sixth man/ benched starter Damon Stoudamire is also a very talented player, but has had somethings throw him out of favor with the coaching staff at times. He will be looking to make a big impression off the bench for the Blazers he is no scrub that is for sure and not someone to be taken lightly by the 76ers I think this is a area we will suffer AI will eventually get tired playing post of the game chasing these two tlaented point guards around, and he will start missing shots due to fatigue. <div align="center"></div> * The last three games the 76ers offense has run like this. Give AI the ball and get the **** out of his way. This game they can not do that imo. If they do that it Allen Iverson will get tired quickly, and shoot a very bad percentage this game which will hurt us down the stretch of this gameAllen Iverosn will not have enough power or speed to get buckets to the end if he is tired from all the running he will do this game, and we will lose if this happpens. * Get someone to step up besides AI. The last three games Allen Iverson roughly half the Sixers points usually only having maybe one or two other guys in double figure scoring. That is what I think a lot of times is the problem of this team not everyone produces like there suppost to. On the Lakers lineup they do not have a great record, but are over .500 because every starter averages double digit scoring. We need that on our team. * Manage turnovers the 76ers had 19 turnovers last game I believe, sveen of those coming from Allen Iverson they need to limit that for the team to be successful against the blazers. Most of there points at times come from the fast break so there is no excuse to have a lot of turnovers. There just is no excuse that simple I think if we limit the turnovers to 12 or 13 at most we can win. * Have Kyle Korver having a good shooting night. If KK goes 0 for his first 5 three pointers and keeps shooting we need to have someone talk to him. Or sit him down,because a couple games he has done that, and JO has just let him shoot games where we where down only one or two points the fell behind big or games where we where up three or five points and lost the lead. <div align="center"> MVP <font color="Blue">Allen Iverson: 34 points, 8 assists, 2 steals</font> </div> I think that this game will start off Sixer pace with us taking a early lead in the first finishing the first with I will say a five point lead. The seocnd quarter will be more of Blazers game though they will be able to take advantage of us in the half court game and us there size I think one of our main guys probably KT will get into foul trouble this quarter. I think we will be down by three at half time. When we come out of the third I think we will get off to a slow start and fall behind by eight points, but be able to tie it going into the fourth. in the fourth I see another down to the wire game, but the Sixers pull it out 98-95.
This game is defiantly win-able, but for us to win any at all on this Western road trip the Sixers are going to have to play as a team. I know Allen has been lighting up the score board recently but this should not cause the other players to shy away, because in the West you can't rely on single game performances, if you do you will get ran out the gym <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Sammy Dalembert has not been incredable the last three games, and he looks to slowly be working his way back into JO's dog house his minutes have been on a steady decline. On the 18th he played 37 minutes, then 29 on the 20th, and only 18 last game. His numbers on both end of the court have been going down as well esepcially on the offensive end of the court he has failed to reach double digit scoring the last three games, and only reached double digit rebounding (15 rebounds) once in the last three games.</div> I don?t think Sam is back in the doghouse; he is getting quality minutes but is making stupid fouls to cut some of his playing time. These last few games he has been getting into a lot of foul trouble. If I remember he has picked up 2 fouls in the first quarter like it?s a routine. Once he stops fouling so much, he'll be getting quality minutes again, JO seems to be punishing him by sitting him out once he does foul a lot, besides Marc has been playing well for us off the bench, so we can live with it. Interior defense is key for this game; the Blazers have to guys Zach Randolph and Shareef Abdur Rahim that can each score 20 a piece in the paint alone. Not to mention both of them can hit the 15-foot jumper. We need to get a hand in both of these guys face or they can give us a tough run inside and out. We also need to keep Derek Andersen and NVE form getting open looks on the perimeter because once they do, we could be in for a long night with them as well. If the other players on are team get involved and step up on the offensive end, I think we can win this game, but we're also going to need a nice game from Allen as well, from what I remember he always plays good against the Blazers. This game can go either way, if the Sixers get a lead they need to try and keep it and not let the team come back in the last minute, you do this by slowing down the offense and taking smart shots, Kevin Ollie should be able to help us in that area like he did against the Pacers. That's vise versa as well, the Sixers cannot wait till the fourth quarter to start playing well, I want to see a well played/contested game for four quarters instead of just the 4th quarter.
I want to see how the Sixers are going to come out this game. Will they come out well and shooting well since they got time off to rest there injuries. Or with rust due to the long lay off before this game. I think it will be well because of the time they ahd to rest injuries they will get at least one practice in so that will warm them up and take away some of the rust before the game.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting stillgot-it:</div><div class="quote_post">If Kenny doesnt hurt his back, we might when by 2 but thats a very doubtful might.</div> Just curious why do you have such confidence in portland they just lost to a Bulls team that is under .500 (they are on a win streak), but under .500. They won there last game, but even then it wasnt dominating against a Bucks team we destroyed. So any reason why you think its doubtful for us to win? With AI shooting 56% from the field the last three games and 54 % from three point range, averaging 40 points per game.
Im not really worried about this game. Iverson has started taking over this team and hes going to keep up this streak Im sure. My prediction of the game is that once again....Iverson gets over 40 points and they pull away with yet another victory all due to our leader...Iverson. Korver may score good for us and possibly Iguodala but everyone else will probably score under 10 points. Think of the matches these Sixer players have in store and youll see what I mean... Theo Ratliff vs. Samuel Dalembert Samuel Dalembert isnt much of a scorer...usually doesnt score over 12. More of a rebounder and blocker but this game...he'll have a tough time against a Center that knows how to block shots. He might have a showdown blocking Sammy D while Sammy D also blocks him. Predicted Stats: Theo Ratliff - 10 points//9 rebounds//3 blocks Samuel Dalembert - 9 points//11 rebounds//1 block Kenny Thomas vs. Zach Randolph The way KT has been playing lately...this wont be a pretty sight. Randolph is going to tear him apart on the boards and points. This might be a problem later on in the game and possibly the only problem along with Shareef. Predicted Stats: Zach Randolph - 28 points//14 rebounds//3 blocks Kenny Thomas - 8 points//8 rebounds//2 assists Shareef Abdur-Rahim vs. Andre Iguodala YIKES! Another bad thing for our rookie. He might be able to hold him to about 15 points I hope..but Im predicting that Shareef will score about 18 because he'll take advantage of a rookie. Shareef Abdur-Rahim - 18 points//9 rebounds//2 assists Andre Iguodala - 9 points//6 rebounds//6 assists Derek Anderson vs. Kyle Korver Guys...we know Kyle Korver is going to be in almost all of the game as usual...I think he might start even. Why start Green when he never does us any good. Well newayz...this will be a good match. Kyle will take advantage of his 3pt shot and hit about 3 threes this game and another shot. Anderson on the other hand will probably score about 10. Derek Anderson - 10 points//2 rebounds//5 assists Kyle Korver - 11 points//4 rebounds//3 assists Allen Iverson vs. Damon Stoudamire/Nick Van Exel Easy match...not worried. Iverson will jump all over these two guys. Im predicting another 40 + point game easily and thats exactly what will give the Sixers a WIN as long as his supporting cast helps him out a little bit. On the other hand...Damon and Exel will both score a combined 16 points. Damon/Nick (combined) - 16 points//6 rebounds//10 assists Allen Iverson - 44 points//4 rebounds//6 assists Starting 5 TOTALS (predicted) Blazers: 74 Sixers: 80 Now...some of you are saying...NO this wont be the score but...this is just for starters. Others on both teams will also have a say in this game. Main thing is...Iverson has to score big in this game. If he doesnt...Sixers lose. The rest of the Sixers are up against some tough competition...especially Iguodala and KT. My Prediction....Sixers win this 106-100 IVERSON...SCORE BIG!
This should be a pretty nice matchup, although I do think Philly will come away with the win. Like always, Allen Iverson will probably be carrying the team, so the question for Portland will be whether or not they can stop the other players. Philly needs its other players besides Iverson to step it up or else Portland will take this game. What I'm really interested in seeing is Dalembert coming out of his decline and show O'brien that he is a strong starter. However, Portland will definitely control the paint with the likes of Ratliff, Abdur Rahim, and Randolph. Thats why Philly will need to get alot of points from jumpers or the perimeter. Korver hasn't been that consistent as of late, so I'm hoping he hits some threes and gets the momentum going. Finally, we need to outlast this team with our stellar bench and grind out the win. 101-94. Sixers win.
If you look closely at the last couple games, preferably the ones against the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers, Allen Iverson is not necessarily hot as everyone is making it out to be. He was indeed hot against Milwaukee, but against the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers he wasn't as quite as hot as you think. If you paid close attention, you would notice that Allen Iverson rarely, if not took at least one bad shot. Virtually every shot he attempted had at least a 50% chance of going on. The screens that was set up for him to use, well guess what, he put them to use, the off the ball movement was also there as well. He was much more active without the ball than he's ordinarily is and he just simply took better shots. It's just that simple, his shot selection has gotten better and it's showing. Early on in the Pacers game (1st Half) he did what he had to do offensively. But as the Pacers put more pressure on him in the 2nd half, notice that he didn?t take as much shots as he did in the first half. He finished 12-23 on the night, now isn?t that funny with a ?hot? hand he ?only? took 23 shots. So basically my point is that, when he doesn?t have the shot, he simply doesn?t take it and instead he looks to pass the ball. And as far as this goes, I for one think he will be able to keep up with the pace for majority of the remaining season. Do not be surprised if Iverson finishes this season with averages somewhere of the likes of 30 PPG, 4 RPG along with 7 APG, and most surprisingly on 43% shooting. So far, I'm using these two recent games as evidence of good things to come for him, however tonight will be a true test. Against a very strong interior defensive (Randolph, Ratliff, Abdur-Rahim) team as the Blazers, it will be interesting to see how he?ll get things going. It's not going to be easy to finish once he gets in the paint and with quick guards such as Stoudemire and Van Exel hounding him, it will also be interesting to see how well he fares along the perimeter. If Iverson it the mature player that I think he is, it would be smart if he looked to penetrate and kick the ball, and just simply look to get his teammates more involved with the offense rather than him. But if he's able to crack the defense (which I think he will not do, and if he does, he will have a very difficult time at it) and get good looks, he needs to shoot the ball and set the tone. And on a side note, it was stated on Sixers.com that ALL 15 players on the roster, would make the trip, however Robinson wasn?t able to make it (so much for that probable comeback ) as well as Williamson (personal business). As for Allen Iverson, it seems as if he re-aggravated that sprained index finger. I think by now, the finger would probably heel up, but it seems as if he just added further damage to it. Right now, he?s listed as GTD, but when you?re dealing with Iverson it can be a sprained or broken finger, you can bet that he will play nonetheless. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Korver hasn't been that consistent as of late, so I'm hoping he hits some threes and gets the momentum going.</div> I think he's been a little fatigue after playing so many minutes since cracking the starting line-up. But after this long break, I think he as well as the team will be much more rejuvenated and I think he will have a big game. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Allen Iverson - game-time decision, sprained right index finger Corliss Williamson - out, NWT, personal family reasons</div> <div align="center">76ers Injury Report</div> Lastly, amazing preview Pure Skillz.
Great great previews by all you three. But I think the Sixers will end up losing this one. I justh have a feelling that the Blazers will kill our frontcourt(who knows?) Dont you think they should just list Iverson as playing? because I don't think he's ever not played when they listed a game time decision
This isnt happening...Iverson 6 points//0 rebounds//3 assists on 2-11 shooting. You know that injury on his shooting hand has to be bothering him...this really makes me angry!
It happens, he is just strait up shooting the ball badly. Everybody has a bad game though plus the game is only half over. The Sixers are going to need Allen to play well if we want to be successful on this road trip though.
Good thing is Iggy is shooting well, and leading us in scoring, and we are not down by much. A lot of guys are stepping up to pick up the lack for AI. Kenny Thomas has eight points so does SD, and Green. All of them have shot 4-7 expect Green who is 3-8. We are also 6-12 from three point range that has kept us in the game since the Blazers are 2-6 from three. We also only have 5 turnovers compared to the Blazers 15. Now the bad we are shooting 28-61 from the field, are losing the rebound sbattles 36-22, and have 15 fouls. We need to step up our shooting and we will be back in this game. Most of the Blazers rebound sahve come from the defensive glass so they are not winning because of second chance oppurtunities. They only have three more offensive rebounds then us we jsut are shooting bad which gives them a lot of rebounds if they box out.
Its not that i have faith in portland, and believe me I dont care, but I have little faith in my sixers. I know that sounds so cold but they dont do anything for me. I use to get so excited watching the sixers and going to game was like the ultimate pleasure being a basketball junkie. But theyre not right, its something not right with this team. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Pure Skillz:</div><div class="quote_post">Just curious why do you have such confidence in portland they just lost to a Bulls team that is under .500 (they are on a win streak), but under .500. They won there last game, but even then it wasnt dominating against a Bucks team we destroyed. So any reason why you think its doubtful for us to win? With AI shooting 56% from the field the last three games and 54 % from three point range, averaging 40 points per game.</div>
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting stillgot-it:</div><div class="quote_post">Its not that i have faith in portland, and believe me I dont care, but I have little faith in my sixers. I know that sounds so cold but they dont do anything for me. I use to get so excited watching the sixers and going to game was like the ultimate pleasure being a basketball junkie. But theyre not right, its something not right with this team.</div> Well look at the score it may give you a reason to have faith. they ar eleading 102-96 with two minutes left. The Sixers ahve had some heart breaking loses this year, but I think they will win this one you can not lsoe faith in them this early in the season. Iggy has 22 points and we have five sixers in double figures finally someone helps AI out. EDIT: Sixers win! 111-104 see you got to have faith. The Sixers are now 2-0 thus far on this road trip and are 5-8 on the year on the road. Seems abd, but they are improving. Next up the Sonics hopefully we can put up a good matchup in that game.
I expected more from AI playing against Van Exel but thats ok...we got the W and thats what mainly matters. Iverson didnt do as bad as I thought he was going to do though. He ended it with 28 points//6 assists/2 turnovers...still bad shooting though. I think the next game they have..AI will come out strong like most All-Stars do after a bad game. Nice win by the Sixers though and great job Iguodala mainly and also the rest of the supporting players. They too (this time ) had a leading part in us winning this game. Sixers take it 111-104
