<div align="center"> @ <font color="gold">Clevland Cavaliers</font>(38-36)<font color="DarkRed">Philadelphia 76ers</font>(37-37) <font color="blue">Place:The Wachovia Center</font> <font color="blue">Time:7:00 PM est</font> <font color="blue">TV:CSN, Local, NBALP</font></div> <div align="center">Last Meeting: Sixers 93, Cavaliers 81</div> <div align="center"> Probable Starters <font size="1">(PG Allen Iverson, SG Andre Iguodala, SF Kyle Korver, PF Rodney Rogers, C Samuel Dalembert)</font></div> <div align="center">_________________________________________</div> <div align="center">Probable Satrters <font size="1">(PG Jeff McInnis, SG Ira Newble, SF leBron James, PF Drew Gooden, C Robert Traylor)</font></div> <font color="DarkRed">Philadelphia 76ers</font> <u>Keys to the Game</u> <ul><font color="Red">Play Strong Inside</font> The Cavs are missing on their center Ilgalskus tonight against the 76ers so it's important for us to attack the paint and try to get Sammy involved early. If Traylor gets into foul trouble the Cavs frontcourt will get thinner and thinner and end up helping us a lot when we look to play inside the paint. On the other side of the court we are going to have to block out for defensive rebounds. Tractor Traylor is a guy who will get you some garbage plays so we have to contain him or he can and will hurt us inside.[/list] <ul><font color="Red">Consistant Play</font> If the Sixers get an early lead they need to maintain focus and keep those leads. The past two games the 76ers have opened up firing and ending the game barely escaping with a W. If they want to make noise in the playoffs those type of situations cannot occur or you will be sent home faster then you can tell. We need to start tonight by not having any lapses on offense or defense if we get a lead, because this game is as important as it gets.[/list] <div align="center"><u>Key Matchups</u></div> <div align="center"></div> <font color="red"><div align="center">LeBron James Projected Game Stats: 24 points 6 rebounds 5 assists Andre Iguodala Projected Game Stats: 16 points 5 rebounds 4 assists</div></font> My Prediction: Iguodala did a terrific job on Mr. James the last time these two faced off. So we'll see if he can duplicate his stellar defensive performance as he did when he held the "King" to 3 for 20 shooting from the field. I think the 76ers know this is a huge game, AI should play well and I expect another player to step it up. My prediction is Philly should pull this out it might be an ugly win though.
Nice preview Silky Smooth. I think this game is going to determine which of these teams are in or out of the playoffs. The Nets have a soft schedule the rest of the way, so they are grabbing the 7th or 8th seed. I have to favor the 76ers in this game. The Cavs have no one to contain or match up with Iverson, but the 76ers have players who can give LeBron a tough time. Philly at home in a must win game has the edge in a close one.
The 76ers played pretty solid ball in the 1rst quarter but up into early 2nd quarter they started to get sloppy and the Cavs made a nice run to tie the game up before the 76ers could take back a two point lead at halftime. AI is struggling form the field which he doesn't usually do against the Cavs, but on another note he also has eight assists already as well as a pretty solid four rebounds. What?s keeping us together in this game is the good plays from are big men so far. M. Jackson is playing very stellar off the bench with 16 points and 3 rebounds, Sammy D was playing well but got into foul trouble he has 10 points 6 rebounds and 1 block in only 10 minutes of play so let's hope he can stay aggressive while staying out of foul trouble at the same time. On the defensive side LeBron got off to a slow start but picked up the slack and all of a sudden has 19 points at the half. If the 76ers want to pull this out they are going to have to come out amped in the 3rd quarter because in close games at the half that?s usually where games are decided.
Great win, probably the most important game so far this season, and they didnt disappoint. Nice windmill by Iggy too.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Nice windmill by Iggy too.</div> I hate not having ComCast Sportsnet. Anyways, Sixers played very well for this game and they're just going to have to keep this up. I'm glad that all of the role players stepped up when Iverson wasn't getting anything in- especially Dalembert and Marc Jackson. Plus, Korver seems like he's out of his shooting slump, so it looks like Philadelphia is ready to play some more games in this last stretch and maybe win some games in the playoffs.
