<font color="DarkRed">Philadelphia 76ers (15-16)</font> @ <font color="Green">Minnesota Timberwolves (16-14)</font> Time: 8:00 PM, EST Location: Target Center TV: ESPN2 ____________________ <u>Last Meeting</u> Minnesota 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">Minnesota Timerwolves</font> C- Michael Olowokandi F- Kevin Garnett F- Wally Szczerbiak G- Latrell Sprewell G- Sam Cassell Head Coach- Flip Saunders ____________________ <u>Key Match-up</u> Players To Watch <font color="DarkRed">Philadelphia 76ers</font> <font color="DarkRed">Allen Iverson:</font> PPG: 28.9, FG%: 42%, APG: 7.1 Iverson has made a significant impact playing the PG position, and has excelled quite well on this road trip needless to say. However, heading into this game he?s listed as a GTD, and it?s not quite certain whether he will be able to play. But with Iverson reputation with playing with injuries he just may play this game because this is yet another chance in which the 76ers can finally get back to .500 mark and tie the Knicks for the number one spot in the Atlantic division. As for the game itself, Iverson will be very expeditious on the offense end. He will take advantage of the lacking Sam Cassell, but at the same time he will have a tough time defending Cassell. Last time both teams met, Iverson look very hesitant getting into the paint. He only got to the paint when Garnett was momentarily out of the picture, but looking at the importance game of this game it will be surprising if Iverson sits this game out. Projected Stats: 26 Points (9-23), 11 Assists, 4 Rebounds, 5 Steals, 5 Turnovers ____________________ <u>Keys To The Game</u> <font color="DarkRed">Philadelphia 76ers</font> <ul><font color="DarkRed">Timerwolves Supporting Cast</font> The 76ers must look to put pressure on the Timerwolves supporting cast. The Timberwolves underachieving is primarily because of the supporting cast not giving Kevin Garnett the support that he needs. Kevin Garnett is one of the only two players in the league which will get his every single night. That said he should not be the 76ers main focus. The 76ers failed trying to containing him in the last confrontation and they just simply gave him too much attention, and that opened opportunities for Griffin, Cassell and Sprewell. So instead of stopping Garnett, they should look to stop the supporting cast which would be by far easier then stopping Garnett.[/list] <ul><font color="DarkRed">Look To Score</font> The numbers speak for itself. When the 76ers score 100+ points they've posted a record of 12-2, while when the Timberwolves allow their opponents to score 100+ points they are 3-8. And looking at the offensive rhythm the 76ers has been in as of late, and the lackadaisical Timberwolves defense, the 76ers must attack and be aggressive and aim to get to the 100 point plateau. If they can reach the 100 point mark, they?re chances of winning will dramatically increase.[/list] <ul><font color="DarkRed">Confidence/Take Care OF Business</font> They should head into this game with the same mindset they had against the Seattle Supersonics. The 76ers are major underdogs despite the circumstance both teams are currently in. So the 76ers must keep their heads up and just simply continue what they've been doing throughout this whole road trip, and if they shot the ball well and don?t allow to many second chance opportunities. They should be in good condition, and end this road trip with a very, very positive note.[/list] __________________ Personal Prediction- Iverson is suffering from the flu, has a left shoulder contusion and a sprained left ankle and is doubtful for this game. While I believe he may end up playing just because this is a vital game, he won?t be 100%, and I could really see him struggling like he did against the Utah Jazz. That said, I expect the Timberwolves to take control of the game early on and as usual the 76ers will make a run in the 2nd half, and make this game a contest and in which it will go either way. It?s all going to come down on which team hustles more and makes the big defensive plays.
Nice Preview Avery. This game is going to really close and in the end I really don't know who will win. These teams are basically revolving around their star player as of right now and if A.I. is out I am gonna have to go with the Wolves.
This game is very vital for us. If we can't take advantage of the T'Wolves bad play of late, then we don't derserve to win take the Atlantic Divison lead. I believe it's quite simple. If we play solid defense on KG's supporting cast then we should come out with the W. We can't let Garnett beat us if we make Wally Z, Spree and Casselwork for their points then we'll be better off. The Sixers have a nice rhythm going and they have proved most wrong by losing only twice on a grueling road trip. If the Bobcats can defeat the TimberWolves, there is no reason we can't.
I dont think we will win. I dont want to sound like I dont believe in the team, but to be realistic I dont see us winning and if we do it will be by a margen of three points or less. Although, the Wolves have been struggling there is no denying they have all the talent they need to beat us three former all stars as there three main options, Wally having a great year, Hudson who is a very solid point guard, Eddie Griffen, Trenton Hassel, Hoiberg, etc. Who do we got Allen Iverson, ??? who will step up to be his second option we never know while the Wolves have a second, third, fourth, fifth, and hell even a sixth option. The Wolves also have a dominate game in the paint while we have one of the weaker ones in the leagues. We will not be able to use our offensive style this game, because I doubt we will "dominate" the boards. I think that Iverson although banged up will have a big game, but not enough for us to win. I think the Wolves take this one by at least six points. I just got a really bad feeling about this game.Sam Cassel said in a magazine once in SI that if you put KG on a team with NBDL players as the other starting four will you reach the finals? no, but will you win a couple of games yeah because KG is that good. We just dont have a answer to him who will we use Williamson? Thomas? I know the Wolves dont have a solid center, but Griffen and KG together more than make up for the numebers a decent center would put up. I think if we have any hopes of winning this game what we got to do is either get KG into foul trouble or jump off to a early lead pushing the ball. We can not get into the half court game to much the Wolves are very good in that situation. Try to push the ball even if its off a in bound pass as much as possible to get guys out of position.
Wolves been playin bad last couple games, I think they lost 4 in a row? Well, i think that the Sixers will win it with Allen Iverson or not... 102 - 94
I actually think the Sixers have a chance to win this one. With the way the T-Wolves been playing, they're not in the top class of the NBA anymoref(for now). I see the Sixers controlling early in the game and then the TWolves make a comeback and then the Sixers hold them off and take the win
Coming from a Wolves fan: I think you have a chance, man we lost against the Bobcats?!?!? Despite having four (former) All Stars: KG, Wally (who plays nearly like the Wally of his All Star year as of late), Sam and Latrell.
Ah well, good run by the Sixers in the fourth. Great half court offense by the Sixers during the 4th quarter. The Sixers definitely could have won this game if AI played. Well this was a great road trip, definitely better than everybody would have thought
We could have played better. But I do respect the effort that the guys gave without Allen in the line up. We could have had this game, we came off a time out down by three and Willie Green took a terrible shot. He is still young so he has time to mature and fix his descsion making. Again we had the chance to take a divison lead, we just couldn't get it done. Hoefully we contiue to play good when we return home.
This is great... we're on fire. Without AI we put up a match against the Wolves... freakin' awesome. Man I love Marc Jackson.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">[IMGl]http://www.nba.com/media/sixers/WGreen_170_050107.jpg[/IMGl] MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 7 (Ticker) -- Even in snapping a four-game losing streak, the Minnesota Timberwolves didn't look good. Sam Cassell and Kevin Garnett both had big fourth quarters as the Timberwolves struggled their way to an 89-84 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, who played without injured star Allen Iverson. After reaching the Western Conference finals last season, the Timberwolves have been inconsistent this season and entered Friday's contest just two games above the .500 mark. "It's a long season," Minnesota center Ervin Johnson said. "Every teams goes through tough spots. You gotta keep the right focus and realize that it's not going to stay bad."</div> <div align="center">Recap Box Score Postgame Notes</div> Amazing game! Deep down inside, I don't see why the 76ers can't consider this a win. They played amazingly, and the only negative I seen was that they failed to execute on those little things that could have gotten them the lead. Other than that, I have to say that this was their best effort of the whole season. They kept biting back and didn't give up till it was all over. Our guys showed a tons amount of heart, and that game alone showed that this team is going to be a promising team in the East. Now while that was a heartbreak lost, because we were so close from pulling off a MAJOR upset this should just give them confidence in actuality. There weren?t even expected to challenge the Timberwolves in this game and yet they almost won, so that?s speaks a lot for itself. This is team is really starting to look like the team I envisioned to see in the 04-05 season. With some work on some minor things, a little work on the chemistry and a healthy AI we could have a very nice season and go deep in the Playoffs. Heading into home, I expect a not just a great win but a blowout win against the Blazers. The 76ers will be hungry and excited to be back at home. If they have been playing this well on the road, imagine how well they will perform at home against the Blazers. -- As for Allen Iverson status, Jim O?Brien stated that Iverson sat out due to a ?bad? ankle. (Yes, I know that doesn?t very pleasant.) However, he said that Iverson will be very much expected to play Monday when they take on the Blazers at home.
Hey Great Game Guys! Even though we lost we let everybody know that we can hold our own with a team that went to the Western Finals last year. I think that we could have won this game, but with about 33 seconds left we were trying to get a three and all they did was pass it in to Green then back to Korver back to Willie and he shot a crazy three that would have never had a shot in hell. But good all around game for everybody and especially John Salmons.
