<font face="Tahoma"><div align="center"> <font size="1">Preview by PureSkillz copywrite to AllenIversonOnline</font> Philadelphia 76ers (15-18) @ Chicago Bulls (14-18) Date: January 12th, 2005 8:30 PM (local time) TV: CSN, NBALP Last Games Trail Blazers 109, Philadelphia 100 Chicago 94, Golden State 84 Skiles played for 10 seasons in the NBA with five different teams (Milwaukee, Indiana, Orlando, Washington and Philadelphia). He appeared in 600 games, including 371 starts, and averaged 11.1 ppg and 6.5 apg, while shooting .889 from the free throw line (4th best in NBA history). He still holds the NBA record for most assists in a game with 30, set on Dec. 30, 1990, as a member of the Orlando Magic. That same season, Skiles was named the NBAs Most Improved Player, when he averaged a career-best 17.2 ppg and 8.4 apg. An All-American at Michigan State, he was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round (22nd overall) in the 1986 NBA Draft. As a senior in high school he scored 39 points in the state finals to lead Plymouth High School to the Indiana State Championship in 1982. Skiles was born in LaPorte, Ind., on March 5, 1964, and is the fourth-youngest active coach in the NBA, behind Golden States Eric Musselman (11/19/64), Seattles Nate McMillan (08/03/64) and New Jerseys Lawrence Frank (08/23/70). He has two sons, Scott, Jr. (15) and Sean (11), and one daughter, Shelby (8). <font color="Red">Chris Duhon</font>-PPG 3.8 RPG 2.2 APG 4.7 <font color="Red">Kirk Hinrich</font>-PPG 15.9 RPG 3.8 APG 6.9 <font color="Red">Luol Deng</font>-PPG 13.0 RPG 5.5 APG 2.4 <font color="Red">Antonio Davis</font>-PPG 5.4 RPG 5.3 APG .9 <font color="Red">Eddy Curry</font>-PPG 15.1 RPG 6.2 APG .9 <font size="1"> Antonio Davis may be out once more due to a hip pointer obtained in the contest against the Utah Jazz</font> <font color="Red">Ben Gordon</font>-PPG 12.9 RPG 2.4, APG 1.8 Deng had a less than impressive night in the contest against the Warriors he scored only two points compared to his thirteen points regular average. He only played 16 minutes was 0-2 from the field, and was able to however get seven rebounds and two assists. He had a good night in the rebounding department to cut a long story short, and not such a good night in any other area of his game. He needs to pick it up on offense for the team to be sucessful against a team like the 76ers with a lot more going for them right now then the Golden State Warriors who the Bulls defeated in there last game. The team has been able to be sucessful lately with a four game win streak and going, and a pervious five game win streak that ended a little while ago. The team is 7-3 the last ten games as well. Kirk Hinrich had a bad night compared to what he normally does in the Bulls most recent contest. He scored only ten points compared to his season average of sixteen points that leads all Bulls players this season. He did however have nine assists and six rebounds. If he can have a good over all performance against the 76ers this including defense they should be alright in that area. Chris Duhon, and Tyson Chandler scored five straight baskets to seal the Bulls last game for them in the fourth quarter. Duhon has done more than just pass for the Bulls recently he had ten points against the Warriors and has been averaging 5 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds during the Bulls five game win streak. He will look to continue that against the Sixers he will be going against a very good defender in Iverson in terms of forcing turnovers so he will need to hold on to the ball for the team to be successful this night. Harrington had a season high 20 point game for the Bulls in his first start of the year against the Warriors helping fill the whole left by Davis very well he will look to continue that. He has been averaging 19.3 points for the Bulls this season in contests where he has played over thirty minutes. He has also become a very good role player in other contests for the Bulls he is one of the best shooters on the team he shoots 54% from the field the Bulls will need him to power the ball inside this game for them to win. Eddy Curry, once again will be looking to continue to make a mark on every game. For him all I have to say is what I always say he could be so much more dominate if he would be able to rebound better than he does for his size he should be getting at least eight to nine a night rather than six. He will be going against a good defender in SD so we will have to see how he does against him. Ben Gordon played a total of ten whole minutes the last game for the Bulls scoring seven points on 2-6 shooting. Though it seems bad he was a quick offensive plug for the team I mean 7 points in 10 minutes translates to a lot of points per 48 minutes. He also showed he can get to the line as he got to the strip three times in that short amount of time he played. He will be called on a lot more often against the Sixers he will be on the court for long periods of time very often since he is probably one of the best scorers for this team, and the 76ers like to have a fast paced game. * Well put the ball in the hoop. The Bulls had a season high 35 points in a single quarter against the Warriors, however they got out scored in the fourth quarter by ten points, and the second quarter by four had it not been for them getting out to a early lead in this game they would have lost to the Warriors who made constant runs to cut the Bulls lead down the Bulls also had 18 turnovers they lead the league in turnovers so they need to cut that down for them to have a shot against the 76ers who have two guys who are ranked high in the league in steals per game. *Rebound well the team out rebounded the Warriors by a total of seven rebounds in there last contest, and have out rebounded there opponents by a net total of twelve rebounds, and out rebounded three out of the four opponents. They need to continue this against a under sized Philadelphia team with a average height of six five to win against a team like 76ers they have to play with heart and crash the boards. * Have good ball movement a key to there win streak has been getting good ball movement that make for easy buckets they have also achieved more assists then the other teams 3 out of the four contests during the win streak only failing to out pass the opponent by three assists in New Orleans. Windy City MVP Projected stats: 13 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists 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 Celtics mid 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 controversy 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 <font color="Blue">Sammy Dalembert </font> -PPG 5.3 RPG 6.3 APG .5 <font color="Blue">Kenny Thomas</font>- PPG 10.3 RPG 6.2 APG 1.4 <font color="Blue">Andre Iguodala</font>- PPG 8.9 RPG 5.6 APG 2.6 <font color="Blue">John Salmons</font>- PPG 5.5 RPG 2.5 APG 2.5 <font color="Blue">Allen Iverson</font>- PPG 28.6 RPG 4.1 APG 7.2 <font color="Blue">Marc Jackson</font>- PPG 14.1 RPG 6.2 APG .9 The 76ers always seem to get so close to .500, but never seem to get there two times now they have gotten one game withen .500, only to fall two and three games abck under it with a couple loses. The 76ers know that the Knicks are floundering right now, and this is there time to take advantage of them if they are going to do so. They will come out with a lot of motivation this game to get the win, and get back in the conference race. They also know the Bulls are only one game out of the playoffs, and there the 8th seed if they lose this game they will be in a tie with the Bulls for 8th place in the eastern conference, because a lose by the 76ers makes up .5 of a game for the Bulls and a win by the Bulls makes up the other .5 for them. Samuel Dalembert has been inconsistant this year to say the least you know you are going to get goo defense from him when he is in there, but who knows what else you will get he may play good on the offensive end, and be given minutes by JO or struggle and he placed on the bench by JO and we will insert our sixth man a more consistant vetern center who JO seems to trust more in Marc Jackson. Jackson's averages have been steadily increasing this season he is having the best season of his career the only thing that comes close is his rookie season. He is averaging the highest career points per game, offensive rebounds per game, and free throw averages of his career. He will look to make another big impression in n attempt to re-aquire his starting position this game. Allen Iverson sat out the fourth quarter of the 76ers and Blazers game due to a minor hip injury. He has said he is fine now, but you have to wonder, when he left the contest he was only one assist and one rebound shy of a triple double. Well there is not much I need to say about AI in this preview that we dont already know. He is quitely leading the league in scoring this season shooting the best field goal percentage of his career since 1997-98 season. He is also having the best overall year he has ever had since 2001. Kenny Thomas' averages are starting to regain there look from last year he is back averaging double digit scoring, and has been rebounding well for the team recently he is our best option at power forward imo, and I am glad that all the trade rumors that where swirling around earlier in the season have died down. He played very well against the Blazers for the team scoring sixteen points. Andre Igoudala against Luol deng the rookie matchup of the year, and yes! that is including Howard vs Okafor these two are probably the best two overall rookies who where taken in the draft this year. Igoudala is not averaging as good of numbers as Deng is, but he is coming off a career high 22 point game, while Deng is coming off a two point night. So we will see who wins. It all depends who comes to play, and who has the mentality to control the matchup. * Stop ball movement like I said before the Bulls have shown during this win streak that when they have good ball movement and get easy buckets they win they need to play pressure defense to force bad passes, not only force turnovers, but bad shot selection. *Have a good night from Iverson, he needs to play well who knows if he is still feeling the affects from the hip injury, but either way if he does not play well, and score well I do not see the 76ers winning he is there main key of offense. if he doesnt play well they will need to have Igoudala or someone else step up big time. 76ers MVP Projected stats: 15 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists Well the winner of this game is a toss up. the Bulls are hot, the 76ers have motivation to win in order to stay in the playoff case as well as the division. Both teams have reason to play hard, and are motivated it will come down to who has the better game plan.</font></div>
Nice Preview , i think the projected score will end 101-89 in a bulls win they are very good and they got what it takes to win
I think the Bulls will take this one. They're rolling right now and I think they'll keep it up here tonight. I think, as long as they play good defense, as they have since starting this streak, they'll be able to take this. I expect for the combination of Curry and Chandler to come up and play good tonight. Also, I expect Ben Gordon to get some more minutes than he has been lately and come up with a better game than what he's had as of late.
Well, I called that one. Gordon and Curry each had huge games for Chicago, who, as I said, would continue to roll. And, with this win, they move into the 8th spot in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
