Game 3 was an utter disappointment to Sixers fans all over the world, yes all ten of us. The Sixers flat-out did not show up defensively, allowing the Celts to shoot a ridiculous 50 percent from the field. While every part of me hated the fact that the Sixers got blown out at home where they were perfect so far this postseason, a little bit of me is optimistic about the blowout. The Sixers for the most part had been playing extremely poorly offensively since about game two of the Chicago series, yet they had been in every game and were finding ways to win without putting the ball in the hoop. The Sixers have the ability to score, they were doing it all year, and maybe this will serve as their wake up call. If you want to win in the playoffs, you need to play well on offense and defense night in and night out. You can’t afford to take nights off, and I think the young 76ers learned that lesson on Wednesday night. With that being said, I expect the Sixers to come out tonight strong. I think the every other day format the Celtics have been playing over the last 2 weeks will take its toll on the old timers and we could see a double-digit win for my Sixers tonight. Thad Young was the lone bright spot for the Sixers Wednesday night, and if he has truly found his game which he hasn’t been able to do since the playoffs began, and that can be a huge advantage going forward in the series. I think the Sixers bench had been their biggest advantage all season, and it had been shortened in the playoffs because quite frankly, Thad and Jodie Meeks had seemed to have checked out. Another positive for the Sixers is that realistically speaking, KG won’t hit every shot like he did the other night. I think Doug Collins can use the last games loss to inspire his team to play well tonight, which is something he has been doing all season. Look for the Sixers to play a strong first half, and to have a 3rd quarter like they had been used to all season where they come out from halftime and out-hustle and out-work the other team. Let’s see a 2-2 series heading to Boston on Monday, Sixers 87 Celtics 74.
Tag: Philadelphia
NFC East Debacle
So going in to the final two weeks of the NFL, the most intriguing division race is the NFC East. The Cowboys, Giants and Eagles all have a shot at winning the division, and they all play each other within the next two weeks. First we will talk about my Eagles. The Eagles have the toughest route to winning the East, but to their credit they are the hottest team going in to the final 2 weeks. They face off against the Dallas Cowboys in Dallas this Saturday in a must win game. The Eagles handled the Cowboys pretty easily earlier this season, and I am looking for the same thing on Saturday. The Cowboys looked good last Saturday night, but that was against the Bucs who might have packed it in after a very disappointing season. Now, in order for the Eagles to win the division, they need to beat the Cowboys and then beat the Washington Redskins in Philadelphia in week 17, along with the Jets beating the Giants this week and the Giants beating the Cowboys in week 17. That’s a lot of “ifs” but it is very possible.
The Giants are playing the Jets in a battle of New York this week, and as bad as the Jets looked last week I am picking them to beat the Giants. Both teams have played dismal as of late, but the Jets have found a way to win late in the season the past few years, and they are now in a much tighter race for the AFC Wild Card. When the Cowboys and Giants face off in the Dirty Jerz in the final week of the season, the Giants will be looking to play spoiler. The Giants and Cowboys have a true hate for each other, and while the Giants hate the Eagles as well, there is no better way to end the season by ending someone elses season. Tony Romo always finds a way to lose the big games, and this will be the biggest game of his season. They have a shaky run game without DeMarco Murray and DeMarcus Ware has had a nagging injury that has kept him from playing a full game. In week 17, Eli leads his G-Men past the Cowboys and opens the doors for the Eagles to win the division with an 8-8 record.
Sixers vs Wizards
I know everyone is sup
er excited for the most anticipated matchup since Brady vs. Tebow. Yes I am talking about the Philadelphia 76ers and the Washington Wizards. Ok, maybe I will be the only one watching but I figured I’d throw something together. The Sixers routed the Wizards last week in their first preseason game 101 to 79. My boy Lou Williams went off for 19 off the bench and 2nd year forward Evan Turner added 16 points and 7 rebounds (although he did turn it over 5 times). The key to this season for the Sixers to be successful is consistent play from overpaid forward Elton Brand. Once a dominant force in the NBA, Brand has been battered by injuries and finally showed some signs of life last year. If he can stay healthy and productive, the Sixers have a good shot this season.
Tonight the Sixers go against John Wall and his Wizards. The only thing good about the Wizards this year is their new jerseys, and that might be an overstatement. The Sixers are too athletic for the Wizards and I look for them to win pretty easily in this rematch. Forward off the bench Thaddeus Young is going to have a big night, as the big lefty will go for 20+ points in front of the probably dismal Philly crowd. Also look for Lou Williams to contribute with the 3 ball tonight scoring his usual 15. Who knows what Andre Iguodala will do. That guy has been on the trade block every year he’s been in Philly, and it must be hard to play in a city that you know you’re not truly appreciated. He is a great all around player, but that is not what the Sixers need. They need a veteran scorer who can take over a game. I do believe this is Andre’s last year in Philly and the Sixers find a new home for him relatively soon. In the end, Philly wins 96-82 in the Saco Bowl and the Sixers improve to 2-0 in the Preseason (possibly the most wins they have ever had in December).
NBA Season
You should all know off the bat, I hate the NBA. It’s 10 guys playing one on one for 48 minutes, nothing like how it used to be. And ever since Allen Iverson left the league I have lost much interest. But this year could be the year the Sixers make a push deep into the playoffs.I mean we all know Lebron is going to win this year since he always plays really good 3 quarters of the season, but hopes are high for the Sixers. Young Evan Turner is a year older as well as point guards Jrue Holiday and Lou Williams. I know I say it every year but I honestly do believe this year the Sixers can compete for the Division. The Celtics are old, and I mean old. And with the shortened season, the Celtics have to play a ton of back to back games throughout the year, and it’s not easy for guys that old to play games on back to back days, plain and simple. They also lost Jeff Green who was looking to be their 6th man so things aren’t looking too good for the Celts at least for now. The only one who doesnt seem to be aging is Tommy Heinson who couldn’t age faster. He’s got the annoyance of Joe Buck and the brain capacity of John Madden. Chris Paul and Kobe are going at it right now in L.A. and I really could care less. I along with much of the country would rather watch the lights go on and off in San Francisco right now than that game, mostly just because it’s hard to get into basketball until football is over. Look for the Sixers to get off to a hot start this season and Lou Williams to suprise a lot of folks this year off the bench.
Tebow's World 