<div align="center"> @ <font color="DarkRed">Philadelphia 76ers</font>(13-14) <font color="blue"> Denver Nuggets</font>(13-15) <font color="red">Placeepsi Center</font> <font color="red">Time:8:00 PM </font> <font color="red">TV:ESPN 2, CSN</font></div> <div align="center"> Probable Starters <font size="1">(PG Allen Iverson, SG Willie Green, SF Andre Iguodala, PF Kenny Thomas, C Samuel Dalembert)</font></div> _________________________________________ <div align="center">Probable Satrters <font size="1">(PG Andre Miller, SG Greg Buckner, SF Carmelo Anthony, PF Kenyon Martin, C Marcus Camby)</font></div> <div align="center"><font color="DarkRed">Philadelphia 76ers</font> <u>Keys to the Game</u> The Sixers finally look like they are meshing as a team and things are coming together for them. The supporting cast around Allen Iverson is starting to step up. We are getting consistent scoring from the role players so far and that's helped us a lot throughout the road trip, and that?s why we are 3-0 so far. If they keep up this kind of play I don't see us losing to this Nuggets team. The Nuggets, who have been struggling as of late, have recently fired their head coach Jeff Bzdelik, replacing him with an interim coach Michael Cooper. This benefits us because even though Cooper was already an assistant coach for them learning a new coaching style may cause the Nuggets to struggle even more against us. Cooper once a great defensive player in the league, will change the teams philosophy and work a lot more on defense. Therefore the Nuggets will still be in the learning process of their new coach when they play us. You also have to take note that the Nuggets have been without star forward and leading scorer Carmelo Anthony, who has been down with an ankle injury. Melo is expecting to return and play against us Friday. Some may think this could be bad for the Sixers, while I think it will help us more then hurt us. Carmelo is a great player but your first game back from being injured is usually a tough game to play. Most see it as a rust game, in some cases you won't be as quick and your athletic ability won't be there, this is a case for Carmelo because of his bad ankle. I expect him to struggle and have a bad game, and most of the time when Melo plays bad so do the other Nuggets. The Sixers are going to have to bring a lot of energy and scoring into this game. Like I said before this team is learning a new coach so they may be a little lost at times, especially on defense if Cooper installs a new system. So what I expect the Sixers do is to take advantage of that. They can't make it easy on the Nuggets by settling for jumpers; if they attack then they will be better off throughout the game. Another thing is for us to stay consistent. The Sixer supporting cast cannot get to confident about their recent success. If that were to happen there is a good chance they will not show up making them unpredictable and inconsistent like they have been said to be in the past. The Sixers also need to play some interior defense. Every time I turn my head the Sixers are giving up big points for big men early in the game. The last time we played Denver, if I'm not mistaken Kenyon Martin had 15 points in the 1rst quarter alone and that?s why too much. A couple of nights ago Zach Randolph lit us up with 10 in the first quarter. Because we are undersized that is a reason we are outscored in the frontcourt. But that doesn't mean we can?t out hustle people and play hard defense. Also if the Sixers some how build a lead, they need to work hard to keep it. We have been known to give up leads this year, and all of are games are critcal now so we have to learn how to play with leads. If we build a lead we need to work hard on defense and slow the ball down on offense. Kevin ollie is a guy we could use when we have leads. He is a solid vet pg who knows how to run an offense and we could use him to slow down tempo and get us easy points. The next thing to do is take advantage of the Nuggets they are a struggling team and we are a hot team despite are barely mediocre record. If we execute and get a good game from AI then we should win this.</div> <div align="center"><u>Key Players</u></div> <div align="center"></div> <font color="red"><div align="center">Kenyon Martin Projected Game Stats: 27 points 9 rebounds 3 assists Allen Iverson Projected Game Stats: 31 points 6 rebounds 7 assists</div></font> My Prediction: The Sixers should have no problem winning this game. Right now we are just the better team. I think we'll have the lead throughout most of the game, but as usual the other team will make a huge run in the 4th quarter. I think we pull out the win in the end. I'm going to say us with the win, 106 to 98.
<font face="Tahoma"><div align="center"> Phiadelphia 76ers (13-14) @ Denver Nuggets (13-15) Date: December 31st, 2004 8:00 PM (local time) TV:ESPN2, CSN Last Games Golden State 104, Denver 101 Philadelphia 114, Seattle 107 </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 coach Larry 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 Jim 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 close games, and nice wins lately they are only two games out of the lead in the Atlantic division <div align="center"> <font color="Blue">Sammy Dalembert </font> -PPG 5.6 RPG 6.80 APG .6 <font color="Blue">Kenny Thomas</font>- PPG 9.2 RPG 6.5 APG 1.3 <font color="Blue">Andre Iguodala</font>- PPG 8.7 RPG 5.4 APG 2.6 <font color="Blue">Willie Green</font>- PPG 8.6 RPG 2.6 APG 2.1 <font color="Blue">Allen Iverson</font>- PPG 28.9 RPG 4.0 APG 7.1</div> <div align="center"> <font color="Blue">Kyle Korver</font>- PPG 11.4 RPG 3.7 APG 2.1</div> Is it just me or are the Philadelphia 76ers finally looking like a team with heart, a team they havent looked like since the 2001 season. they got guys stepping up to pick up the scoring load when AI is not hot they got guys who know there role doing there thing, and are 3-0 so far on there eight game road trip which was projected to make or break them. Samuel Dalembert has been doing very well on this road trip if you break down his game by game splits for this road trip so far he is averaging 7.5 points per game, 6 rebounds, 1.6 blocks a game. Compared to his normal stats of 5 points a game, 6.80 rebounds and 1.6 blocks so he has picked up his scoring and helped AI got so far carring the scoring load. In this game he will be going against Marcus Camby a good defender, and streaky offensive player it should be a goos matchup do not expect either to dominate though. Kenny Thomas has also picked up his scoring if you have followed my previews you will have noticed he has improved his scoring and rebounding average. He is starting to look like the Kenny Thomas of old. He is getting on the boards and scoring he scored 15 points last game for us one of six 76ers to get into double digits. He will have a huge challenge in Kenyon Martin this game. Iggy has also picked up his scoring a little, but he is dominate some nights and irrelevent offensively the next night. He scored 22 points against the Blazers, and only four points against the Sonics. He did however hit the boardsfor seven rebounds. His ability to creat steals will be a big need this game against a Carmelo Anthony coming back from injury. Willie Green exploded against the Seattle SuperSonic like said before one of six sixers to reach double figure scoring he scored 20 points after failing to reach double digit scoring the other two games in the road trip. We will be looking at him to take advantage of Greg Buckner in there matchup. Allen Iverson what can you say he has lead the Sixers in scoring every game this month, had two 50 point scoring games this month, and is not done yet I expect him to come up big tonight as he tries to lead the Sixers to another win, and guarentee them at least a .500 finish in this road trip. Ahh Kyle Korver if you have been following my previews you have seen his average in points steadly decreasing. He has not had a big game in idk how long. He needs to step up or he is going to be in JO's dog house like Kenny Thoams was for a while and we need his shooting so hopefully that does not happen. To me I think we need tto try to get him in a matchup with Buckner as often as we can. <div align="center"> (Coach Picture not avaliable) <font color="blue">Marcus Camby</font>- PPG 8.8 RPG 8.8 APG 1.7 <font color="blue">Kenyon Martin</font>- PPG 15.2 RPG 8.2 APG 3.1 <font color="blue">Carmelo Anthony</font>-PPG 21.4 RPG 6.0 APG 3.2 <font color="blue">Greg Buckner</font>- PPG 6.6 RPG 3.0 APG 2.1 <font color="blue">Andre Miller</font>-PPG 15.3 RPG 4.1 APG 6.0 <font color="Blue">Nene Hilario</font>-PPG 7.9 RPG 4.9 APG 1.7 Marcus Camby is a player who you never know what he will give you if he will dominate or if he will just be one of the five players who have to be on the court. He does alot of things for this team that dont show up on the stat sheet a lot of hustle plays for them to win he will need to do not and show up with his offensive game today. Kenyon Martin has struggled to say the least this season without Kidd to set him up. Dont get me wrong he is still great and we need to stop him and keep him off the board, but with Kidd he was a all star with the Nuggets he is just been a solid role player at best. He needs to return to his old ways his big plays when the team needs them and being a floor leader. Carmelo Anthony's first game back from injury, and what has changed since he was last on the court well there is a new coach and his team is on a huge slide. Think this will effect his game? Probably. I do not expect to see the 20 point scoring Carmelo Anthony tonight he has to learn what the new coach likes to run, and has to get back into the flow he will be rusty imo. Greg Buckner former sixer starting because of a season ending injury to leonard thats all I can really say about him he is a decent defender, but does not have much of a offensive game. He may have a few good hustle plays but will not be a huge factor in this game his job stop Willie Green. Andre Miller still a good guard lead the league in assists a few years back with the Cavs he is a solid gaurd, and can not be under rated this game him and Iverson should be a good matchup this game see what happens hopefully AI can hang on to the ball this game and lead the offense. Nene has been a good factor off the bench for the Nuggets this season in the middle of trade rumors he has performed solid for them all season long after coming abck from the injury. Guarding him and Martinw ill tire our big men out I think we should use Skinner this game to body them up more often then we normally would. MVP <font color="Blue">Points 43, 6 rebounds, 9 assists</font></div> <div align="center"> </div> * Have people step up like they have been doing the past two games against Portland we had five guys in double figure scorign against the Sonics we had six maybe seven tonight? IDK I think if we can just have players like KK, Iggy, Green, AI, and KT produce we will be fine on the offensive end but it wouldnt hurt to see a big game out of more guys. * Control the pace of the game the Sixers have to control the pace like they have been doing lately they can not win if they do not know how they are going to run this game they need everybody to be involved on the offensive end have everyone touch the ball so Denver wont know what is coming kind of like pick your poison. * Attack Anthony he is coming back from an injury chances he is full strength right now is slim to none so we have to exploit his weaknesses this game and take the ball right at him to try and bring out fatigue and attack areas his injury might affect him in like the fast break and posting him up. </font><div align="center"></div> Well I think we can win this game after the Seattle gaem anything seems possible. I will hold off on predicting who will win though I do not really know who will win this game or what team will come out the Nuggets that where hot with Anthony or the team that has been on the losing streak.
Two great reviews, I agree with both of you we should have no problem beating the Nuggets whatsoever, that's if we play lilke we been playing the past few games. Consistent defense, and the team still needs to contribute like they have been the last two games.
Update! <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Update: Martin (back) was limited in practice Thursday and will be a game-time decision Friday night against the Sixers the Rocky Mountain News is reporting.</div> <div align="center">Link</div> For our sake, I hope he sits this game out. But let?s say he does indeed play, he won't be 100%, so this is good for us nonetheless. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Update: Boykins, who had been struggling with a case of bronchitis, practiced on Thursday and is expected to play Friday night, the Rocky Mountain News is reporting.</div> <div align="center">Link</div> Yes, Earl Boykins too. It's not like he was going to be a major threat to us, but he's still a key player to this team, and not being 100% will also favor us. So all in all that makes three injured players, that means our chances of winning increased dramatically. However, at the same time the 76ers can?t underestimate them, and they must stay aggressive to win. They just simply need to keep attacking them. -- As for my thoughts on this game... Silky Smooth pretty much said it all.... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I think we'll have the lead throughout most of the game, but as usual the other team will make a huge run in the 4th quarter. I think we pull out the win in the end. I'm going to say us with the win, 106 to 98.</div> Btw, amazing previews Silky/Skillz.
We are starting to play as a team. We had great confidence and after coming off a good win against the suprise Sonics. I don`t see anything stopping the Sixers.
This should be a good game. Both teams aren't living up to expectations, and will come out hungry especially with today being the last game of the year. Great matchup!
This was a perfect example of the only thing that matters in a basketball game is the last 5 minutes. In this case it was ture, we were leading the whole game until we made them 9 turnovers in the 4th. Nuggets took advantage of our 4th quarter turnovers, and Demarr Johnson came up big for the Nuggets, so did Carmelo. Congrads to Michael Copper for his first NBA coaching win but I didn't want it to come against Philly.
You have to admit this was a great game, intesity to the end. Korver was so wide open, IMO i think he shot too quickly, and Iverson missed the free throw. This game was great, even though Sixers lost.
Well... I was right, the Nuggets did make a run in the 4th quarter. The Sixers couldn't fight it off and I think this is a teribble loss because we had the game won. The Sixers have to learn how to play with leads and finish games. We've seen to much of the Sixers controling most of the game, and then letting the other team kill us in the end. Other then the 4th quarter this game proves how dangerous we are. Korver had a nice game and made a strong impact all around. We are good for three quarters and then... well you know. If we ever want to have success as a team, then this can't happen.
It was a well-fought game but the Nuggets pulled it out. But that shot Korver put up at the end, to me, it looked like it was going in. Who do we have up next by the way...Clips?
Man I was SO mad after watching them leading for 36 minutes then started losing in the fourth. This is the kind of loss that's not going to help you on a 8 game road trip. Giving up a 11 point lead going into the fourth is horrifying. They need to start learning to play with a lead, maybe it's the experience or something but they need to start right now. It was a really entertaining game all around though, some very sloppy plays from both teams. I don't know if sloppy's the word but it just didn't seem like a normal nba game lol. Korver was great on the defensive end though.
Korver was the MVP of the second half. Iverson sure did one helluva job in the first half, but Korver was the silent MVP. Defense, hustle, off-the-ball play, hitting the glass, etc...
^Totally agree with you man, I think twice Korver knocked the ball in the air out of bounds and then saves it. He also hustled and blocked Boykins on the other end. Great hustle player
