Preview Details: Who: (19-19) vs (18-22) Where: Wachovia Center When: Mon, Jan 19th, 11am TV: NBALP Projected Lineups: PG: Brent Barry/Antonio Daniels/Luke Ridnour SG: Ray Allen/Ronald Murray/Richie Frahm SF: Rashard Lewis/Vladimir Radmanovic PF: Vladimir Radmanovic/Reggie Evans/Vitaly Potapenko C: Calvin Booth/Jerome James/Vitaly Potapenko Coached by Nate McMillan PG: Eric Snow/Allen Iverson/Aaron McKie SG: Allen Iverson/Aaron McKie/Kyle Korver SF: Glenn Robinson/John Salmons/Greg Buckner PF: Derrick Coleman/Amal McCaskill C: Samuel Dalembert/Zendon Hamilton Coached by Randy Ayers Injury List: Nick Collison: shoulder, season. Ansu Sesay: left ring finger sprain, on IL. 76er Injury List Marc Jackson: fractured left ring finger, on IL. Willie Green: sprained right thumb, on IL. Todd MacCulloch: foot neuropathy, on IL. Kenny Thomas: sprained right ankle, indefinite. Analysis: Seattle go into theit third game in four nights of an eastern roadtrip, currently mired in a four game losing streak. Not attacking the basket, lack of defensive intensity and just general sloppy play have been their downfalls, as they relinquish a once strong grip on a West playoff seed. Philadelphia have slipped to four games below .500 and come in off a loss to Memphis, but hold the advantage of being at home, and have superstar Allen Iverson back from injury. The Sonics need to start attacking the basket and fast, or their season could go into a tailspin. Good Times: After being drafted 43rd overall out of Michigan State by Milwaukee in 1995, Eric Snow's draft rights were traded to Seattle where he spent his first two and a half seasons as a little used back-up to Gary Payton. He was traded to Philadelphia for a second round draft choice midway through the 97/98 season, and has gone on to establish himself as one of the most reliable point guards and toughest defenders in the league. [quoteright]""It's almost like being a family. If you don't feel like something is going right, it's not wrong to voice your opinion. It's just the way that it's brought up." Seattle guard Antonio Daniels, after the team lost it's 4th straight game, in Washington 99-84.[/QUOTERIGHT] Key Factor: While Philadelphia's strength is from the perimeter, with Allen Iverson and Glenn Robinson providing the bulk of their scoring an Snow setting up the offense, but the key to this game may just be Seattle's interior players. The reason? Iverson and Robinson won't be troubled by the Sonics' perimeter defense, which means Seattle's big men will need to protect the basket. Booth had 10 blocks against Cleveland on Tuesday, James is capable of guarding the basket and Potapenko plays a tough brand of defense inside, and cutting off Iverson and co. and their routes to the basket will be vital. Key Matchup: Ray Allen vs Allen Iverson How much time these two see on eachother remains to be seen, but it's no secret each holds the key to his respective team's fortunes. Iverson could potentially cause Seattle a lot of trouble. They don't have a suitable match-up for Iverson defensively; Antonio Daniels is far and away the Sonics' best perimeter defender, but he gives away a lot in pace. Luke Ridnour is the Sonics' quickest guard, but he will be no match for Iverson defensively. Seattle will have to make sure their big men protect the basket and make life hard for Iverson once he gets to the basket. On the other hand, Ray Allen is a tough match-up for the 76ers to contain; Iverson gives away a lot in height, which means Allen has the ability to shoot over him. The advantage of having Brent Barry in the backcourt with him means that Iverson gives away height wheoever he faces, and both are excellent shooters. X-Factors: Reggie Evans - Seattle dearly need the intensity and hustle he gives them off the bench. Philadelphia sides are notorious for playing physical basketball and this one is no different, and Evans will need to bring his hard-nosed game off the bench. Kyle Korver - Philadelphia's answer to Richie Frahm, Korver hardly ever takes anything but a three pointer. However he makes a very high percentage of them, and could be a factor is the defense focuses too much on Iverson and Robinson. <font size="1">Player photos and logo images courtesy of NBA.com </font>
I'll take the Sixers at home in this one. Phili is a very scrappy team that know how to play perimeter defense with Iverson, Snow, and McKie. I would love to show some faith in yout Sonics mate, but just can't do it this game.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">I would love to show some faith in yout Sonics mate, but just can't do it this game.</div> I don't blame you in the slightest, Seattle have not shown a single glimpse of anything that would warrant any faith. I really hope they can prove me wrong, but Philly may not be the place to do it.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sir Desmond:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't blame you in the slightest, Seattle have not shown a single glimpse of anything that would warrant any faith. I really hope they can prove me wrong, but Philly may not be the place to do it.</div> I have not been hearing a lot of Lewis at all, what is going on with him?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">I have not been hearing a lot of Lewis at all, what is going on with him?</div> The usual, inconsistency. He had eight rebounds, eight assists and four blocks against Washington, but only 13 points. We need his 20 a night badly. Too many players are taking a backseat and relying on Ray to do everything. So far, he's come through, but it isn't going to happen every night. Lewis signed an All-Star contract, it's time for him to prove he's worth that money.
Sonics by 9. only if they get off in offensive in early 3rd...cuz usually if they start off real hot, they cool down real quick.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting anadagirlballer4strt:</div><div class="quote_post">Sonics by 9. only if they get off in offensive in early 3rd...cuz usually if they start off real hot, they cool down real quick.</div> wow...I was correct...90-81...haha...rarity right there...and how did I know they were going to get hot after the halftime...somehow some psych'dness I guess...awesome though. I'l get boxscore & such in a awhile...
If Ray Allen wants his name alongside Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce as fourth quarter players, then he's going the right way about it. Allen had 15 of his game high 28 points in the last quarter, as the Sonics put together a 28-16 last quarter to snap their four game losing streak in Philadelphia, 90-81. Allen came up with numerous crucial baskets down the stretch as Seattle took the lead early in the last, and didn't relinquish it. He added seven rebounds and four assists. Philadelphia jumped out of the gates early, as Glenn Robinson and Kenny Thomas both had hot first quarters, with the 76ers up 30-18. Seattle cut the deficit to nine at halftime, before outscoring Philadelphia 51-33 in the second half, capping off perhaps their best defensive effort of the season. Jerome James was a big factor, having his best game for the year with 10 and eight, while Vladimir Radmanovic responded to going to the bench by scoring 12 first half points on his way to 15. Rashard Lewis posted 12 and seven, while Brent Barry had nine points, seven rebounds and nine assists before sitting out the final period. Glenn Robinson had 27 for the 76ers, while Iverson had 18 and Kenny Thomas 14. After giving up another 30 point quarter, Seattle allowed under 20 points in the remaining three quarters, in a game which will give them a big confidence boost heading into Cleveland tomorrow. <font size="1">Box Score courtesy of ESPN.</font> Next Game: @ Cavaliers, Tuesday Jan 20th <div class="quote_poster">Quoting anadagirlballer4strt:</div><div class="quote_post">Sonics by 9. only if they get off in offensive in early 3rd...cuz usually if they start off real hot, they cool down real quick.</div> Great prediction
haha yes...o no...I'm gunna miss another game...I have basketball practice then a dance show right afterwards...wut time is the game exactly? grrrz...
Both Allen Iverson and Ray Allen had bad first halfs. But unlike Iverson, Ray really came alive in the 2nd half. And props to him. He ruined a good game for me but he played great.
