Game Thread: Bulls @ 76ers (1/25)

Midnight Green · Feb 25, 2006

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Chicago Bulls (24-30) at Philadelphia 76ers (27-27)
Place: Saturday, 7:30pm vs. Bulls
TV: NBALP, CSN



The Philadelphia 76ers went into the All-Star break like a lamb, but come out of it playing like a lion.

The 76ers try to record a three-game winning streak for the first time in more than a month and avenge their worst loss of the season Saturday when they face the Chicago Bulls.

Philadelphia ended its first half with an embarrassing 117-84 pounding at the hands of Chicago on February 16. The league's second-leading scorer, Allen Iverson managed only 18 points as the 76ers allowed the Bulls to score a season-high 38 points in the first quarter and never recovered.

However, the Sixers have stormed out of the break with back-to-back 116-point efforts. In Friday's five-point victory over Milwaukee, Philadelphia got a career-high 31 points from Kyle Korver and 30 from Iverson to move into eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

Meanwhile, Chicago has split its two games since the break, dropping a 95-87 decision to Detroit on Friday despite 24 points from Ben Gordon, who is averaging 23.7 in his last nine games - including a 21-point effort in last week's victory over Philadelphia.

The Bulls have won three straight meetings with the 76ers, but has dropped four of their last five trips to the Wachovia Center. 

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Philadelphia 76ers

PG- Kevin Ollie
SG-Allen Iverson
SF-Andre Iguodala
PF- Chris Webber
C- Samuel Dalembert

Coach: Maurice Cheeks

Season Stats
Leading Scorer: Allen Iverson - 33.0 PPG
Leading Rebounder: Samuel Dalembert- 9.9 RPG
Assist Man: Allen Iverson - 7.4 APG
The 'X' Factor: Andre Iguodala (12.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.8 APG)

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kevin_ollie.jpg[/imgl]Kevin Ollie 
PPG: 2.2, RPG: 1.3, APG: 1.1
At first glance a casual fan of the NBA might see Ollie as a scrub starting on a mediocre team, but his stats are only half the story. Although, I will be the first to say Ollie is anything, but a superstar in the league. For the 76ers he is just what we need from our point guard. The second coming of Eric Snow is how I perceive Ollie. His numbers will not take anybody aback by surprise, but when he gets on the court his ball handling ability, and decision making is irreplaceable to this team, not to mention his defensive specialties. Maybe I am giving him more credit then he deserves I mean he has only started three games thus far this season so only time will tell.

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/allen_iverson.jpg[/imgl]Allen Iverson 
PPG: 33.0, RPG: 3.4, APG: 7.4
The Answer, Allen Iverson is still a 76ers despite the rumors that he would be traded earlier in the week, and he is still playing better than ever. AI was moved back to his natural shooting guard position by coach Cheeks during the game against the Bucks, and the team prospered, because of it. By having a true point guard at the helm the 76ers have gotten more people involved in the offense, and improved their defense.

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/andre_iguodala.jpg[/imgl]Andre Iguodala 
PPG: 12.2, RPG: 5.9, APG: 2.8
Andre Iguodala has looked like a completely different person since all star weekend. After winning MVP of the Rookie/Sophomore game and in many peoples minds winning the dunk contest as well. Iguodala’s confidence has been on cloud nine he has been more aggressive with his play, and it has shown in his numbers. Going up against a good defensive squad, in the Chicago Bulls, we will have to see just how much more aggressive Dre has become.

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/chris_webber.jpg[/imgl]Chris Webber
PPG: 19.6, RPG: 9.9, APG: 3.2
Chris Webber has not been in the news criticizing anyone for a couple of weeks now. In that time the team has looked more united on the court, and his stats have improved because of it. Do those things go hand in hand? Who am I to say if they do or not, but it sure seems that way.

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/samuel_dalembert.jpg[/imgl]Samuel Dalembert 
PPG:9.0, RPG: 9.9, APG: 0.5
Samuel Dalembert missed the game against the Bucks due to a sprained ankle he suffered in practice. He is questionable for tonight’s game against the Bulls, and quite honestly I would be shocked if he played. He is not what you would call a tough player, his thresh hold for pain is not very high. If he does not play expect him to be replaced by Steven Hunter.
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 Chicago Bulls

PG- Kirk Hinrich
SG- Ben Gordon
SF- Luol Deng
PF- Tyson Chandler
C- Othella Harrington

Coach: Scott Skiles

Season Stats
Leading Scorer: Ben Gordon- 16.6 PPG
Leading Rebounder: Tyson Chandler- 9.0 RPG
Assist Man: Kirk Hinrich- 6.6 APG
The 'X' Factor: Luol Deng (13.0 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.8 APG)

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kirk_hinrich.jpg[/imgl]Kirk Hinrich
PPG: 14.8, RPG: 3.5, APG: 6.3
Kirk Hinrich has been an on court leader for the Bulls all season long, and has really helped the Bulls Ben Gordon elevate his offensive game to another level by being a great setup man for him. Kirk will need to take care of the ball this game for the Bulls to win. The Bulls managed to force a lot of bad shots from the 76ers a couple of weeks ago when the Bulls embarrassed them in Chicago, while at the same time holding on to the ball when in their offensive sets.

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/ben_gordon.jpg[/imgl]Ben Gordon
PPG: 16.6 PPG, RPG: 2.6, APG: 2.9
Ben Gordon has been simply amazing this month averaging well over 20 points a game while giving the Bulls a go to guy down the stretch with ice water in his veins that will hit the big shot. Gordon has also shown an ability to create for himself off the dribble, and become more than a guy who scores simply off of double teams alone.

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/luol_deng.jpg[/imgl]Luol Deng
PPG: 13.0, RPG: 5.9, APG: 1.8
Despite having rumors circulating around his name since November, having to adjust his shooting motion after wrist surgery, and having to work his way back into the starting rotation. Deng has put together a very respectable season for the Bulls this year. He has shown he can do a lot more things than just rely on his athletic ability to get him by. If you remember when the Bulls first drafted him many projected him to be a project no one expected him to be this far along by now after coming out of Duke at such a young age.

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/tyson_chandler.jpg[/imgl]Tyson Chandler
PPG: 5.4, RPG: 9.0, APG: 1.1
After a slow start to the season Chandler has looked like a man among boys out on the court these last few months. He has proven to be just what the Bulls expected him to be, a monster shot blocker and rebounder. Not only that he has shown another dimension to his game as a good passing big man. Chandler had a big game earlier this week against the Bucks in which he blocked four shots including the game winning block n TJ Ford. He will be looking to continue his tear tonight against the 76ers.

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/othella_harrington.jpg[/imgl]Othella Harrington
PPG: 5.3, RPG: 2.6, APG: 0.5
The elder statesman Othella Harrington, the only Bull with over five years experience (8), Harrington has put together a nice season for the Bulls.



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<ul>Get everyone involved in the two games post all star break the 7e6rs have gotten big performances from the usual guys Webber and Iverson, but they have also gotten big performances out of the young guys Korver and Iguodala. That is why they have won these last two games. They will need those guys to continue their great play tonight.[/list]

<ul>Defense with Ollie in the starting lineup the 76ers have looked better defensively, but their is still a lot of room for improvement. They will need to keep showing steady improvement in order to make a run at the playoffs. If they do not play tight defense tonight, and box out to prevent second chance opportunities don‘t expect a win.[/list]

<ul>Have some self respect this is the same team that less than two weeks ago embarrassed you guys. The Bulls made the 76ers look like a High scvhool JV squad trying to play against All Americans. Have some respect for yourselves (76ers) and come out with fire.[/list]

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<ul>Defensive Pressure  the Bulls need to stay defensive minded to come out and have a chance to win tonight. The 76ers will be looking to go up early so they might be a little nervous, and try to force shots the Bulls have to do a good job of boxing out, and converting off of forced turnovers.[/list]

<ul>Get off to a good start after the pounding the Bulls gave the Sixers a couple of weeks ago you know the 76ers have to be coming in asking themselves can we really beat this team? By getting off to a good start you might put them into the frame of mind “ Oh he we go again” if you do that it’s pretty much a wrap. [/list]

<ul>Don‘t come in over confident several months ago when the Bulls lost to the Bobcats at home some reports came out in the newspapers claiming the Bulls where over confident taking shots at the Bobcats all night. Well the Bobcats did not have AI, and still beat an overconfident team you can only imagine what will happen if the Bulls do the same thing tonight.[/list]

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In my opinion the Bulls have to be the favorites tonight. Throw the records out the windows forget the streaks. The Bulls have the confidence advantage over the 76ers they are already in the 76ers heads and the game is still hours away. Not only that, but they also have clip board material considering ESPN has them as 3.5 point underdogs despite beating down this very same 76ers team less than two weeks ago in Chicago. I will keep my prediction to myself considering I am a big fan of both teams, but if the 76ers are not competitive in this game they have no respect for their own team their the team that needs to prove something tonight not the Bulls.

SebP? · Feb 28, 2006

I was at this game, and the Bulls except for Duhon just went cold down the strech. Kyle Kover hit three straight 3-pointers and from that point I felt the game was over. The Bulls just to play a little better in the 3rd and 4th quarter if they want to make the playoffs!

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Game Thread: Bulls @ 76ers (1/25)

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Game Thread: Bulls @ 76ers (1/25)

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