 Another Bad Matchup? The Toronto Raptors currently have the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference at 23-41. Over their past eight games (2-6), they have allowed an average of 112.9 points per game. As disappointed as we've been in the Sixers at certain points this season, they haven't come close to the level of under-achievement Toronto has experienced. That being said, this game has me very, very worried.  Typically, I would use this space to ponder how a team with Chris Bosh down low, Jose Calderon at the point, Shawn Marion on the wing and plenty of three-point shooters surrounding them could suck this bad, but this time I'm going to refrain from ripping the opposing team. That plan hasn't worked out to well recently. Instead, I'm going to talk about what I see as legitimate match-up problems for the Sixers, and try to figure out how they're going to be able to fix things on the defensive end. The first, and largest problem is Chris Bosh. He's too big and too strong for Thad to handle on his own. I have a feeling Dalembert will be playing Bosh, which is fine if he works on the low blocks, not so fine if he's facing up against Sammy. Still, this is a matchup the Haitian will have to handle on his own for the minutes he's actually in the game. Toronto has too many weapons on the outside for them to double down on Bosh. If they feel compelled to double, I'd double with Iggy and force Marion to be the guy who takes threes for Toronto. Problem number one leads us right into problem number two. If Sammy is guarding Bosh, that means Thad is tasked with a 7-foot center who's currently shooting better than 40% from three. This actually isn't too much of a mismatch, considering Bargnani's perimeter-oriented game, and his fear of rebounds (or really dirty work of any kind). This should be a comical matchup to watch, Bargnani, a starting center, averages 6.2 rebounds/36 minutes, while Thad, a starting power forward, averages 5.1 per 36. They can take turns failing to box each other out, then not going after the ball off the glass. If you're wondering which shooters the Sixers need to say at home on, here you go:
If you're looking for advantages, I'd point directly at Andre Miller. Calderon is one of the best offensive points in the league, but he doesn't have a prayer at slowing Andre down off the dribble, nor does he have the strength to deal with him in the lane. I'm expecting a big game out of him. Thad should also have the quickness advantage on Bosh (or Bargnani), but that's the case virtually every time the Sixers take the floor and they rarely capitalize on it. Here's my arbitrary key to the game: If Willie's mised field goals plus Lou's missed field goals is less than the total number of points for Chris Bosh, the Sixers will win. The tip is at 7pm, I'll be here, live, so please join me for the in-game discussion. Hopefully this schizophrenic team can pick themselves up and make us believers again. UPDATE: Bargnani is questionable with the flu. 
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ROTFL!
Barg's is hilariously rebound-phobic. But he can shoot the three. If he's in, there's a load of mismatch problems for the Sixers defensively.
If the sixers let Bosh do his thing and the raps let Andre do his thing leaving all else to status quo, who wins?
The Raps are better than their record would indicate, but you just never know what team is showing up on any given night. It's a battle of the schizhoids.
That's a good question. If both Iguodala and Bosh score 25, I'd probably give the edge to...wow. I guess the Sixers, because Iguodala doesn't score 25 unless he has a very efficient game, he stops shooting if he isn't efficient.
You know, it's been over a month since the Sixers won a game by double digits. Not a good sign.
Same old, same old starting lineup. We're about to tip it off.
Thad on Bargnani. Sammy fouls Bosh on the first play of the game, good d on the second.
Can't leave Bargnani open for three. Someone should realize that, right?
Man that ball was sitting on the rim.
That was a bs call.
Wonder why we never see Sp8's with it low on the blocks, esp. since he is sort of the center with this lineup here. He's always shooting the 15 footer after a pick and pop, but I would like to see how he operates down low.
He's good in the post, they should go to that much more often.
19-19 after the first. Speights was the first guy off the bench. Bargnani hit 3 threes in the quarter, the last one was very much contested by Sammy, though.
Iguodala is feeling good from three, looking for it. 2/3 so far.
Ukic can't handle Lou off the dribble.
Nice. And Lou is taking it to the rack every time.
Man, they are hopeless w/out Calderon on the floor.
Any chance they just cruise to a win from here? I could use a low-stress game.
15-point lead w/ 3 and change left in the half.
You realize you are watching the Sixers, right? :)
Iguodala is hurt. Not good. Minutes for Thad at the three now.
Andre Miller directs the heck out of traffic, huh.
Glad to see Sam looking fierce in the 1st half. I was ticked that DiLeo had him in the doghouse the last 2 games.
Now if Evans can get those touches on the low blocks 2 straight times, can we try Sp8's please??
Seems silly, right?
I'm hoping Speights will get the start in the second half if Iggy can't go.
Miller, Green, Thad, Speights, Sammy
Evans in the post on back-to-back possessions. Wonderful offense.
Be nice to extend this lead out of the gate so Iggy can rest that back strain.
56-39 at the half. The bench dominated in the second.
Would be a big win if they hold on as the 3 teams in front of us all have tough opponents tonight.
Ugh, just turned on the Knicks/Pistons and Detroit reeled off an 11-1 run.
and the Hawks are up by quite a few at the half on the Jazz.
Iguodala's back.
Thad is running the floor and stroking the heck out of that J tonight.
Jesus, if Thad can shoot like this regularly, or somewhat regularly...
Every time down they are running a play tonight, guess they had an extensive look at the film from Sun.
I liked the way they were punishing Toronto when they tried the press. I think that might be the first time I've seen a team try full-court pressure against the Sixers this season, other than at the end of games.
Well to counter that, it is the 1st time in a while that we have had a substantial lead where a team was forced to that, to try to create a turnover or speed the game up.
Yup.
Sam is not messing around tonight. On a serious tip for sure. How I long for that from him consistently...
Sam has been huge.
Up 18 heading to the fourth. Push it up to 25 so Iggy can get some rest, please.
Uh-oh, here comes that run. Stop relaxing B and get up on the edge of that seat again.
still double digits, my blood pressure won't really rise until it's less than 10.
pick and pop, lou and speights. good offense.
Hey, Ivey has absolutely no feel for that floater, runner in the lane, or layups for that matter.
Alright, sitting up now.
Time to get miller and thad back in...or just miller. Why is Thad still on the bench, he's never been this hot before.
He's got to pull Reg at the 5 minute TO to get Thad back in I would think
He pulled Iggy instead.
Nope, Thad for Iggy.
Still scoring, but slow rotations allowed Raptors back in game.
Terrible defensive half, good thing the Raptors can't defend either.
Player of the game rather easy tonight. Curious to see who you choose.
Thad had his two free throws to get to 30 points, missed both and it looks like he's getting pulled here. Yup, Rush for Thad.
Still haven't won by double digits in a month.
My wrap will be up later tonight, need to eat some dinner.
Earlier comment about Speights on the block
Honestly I am starting to think the sixers don't understand the strength of posting up on the low block - hardly ever done by anyone - maybe sam being so bad at it made them forget?
Missed the game - interesting box score - FT shooting comes in handy :)
Knicks just came back to beat the pistons in OT, Heat beat the celts and the hawks ended the jazz streak. Ill take it although I was surprised the heat beat the celts.Wade is on a mission.
Gotta love having Starbury starting for Boston.
Damn I was real bad in my picks tonight
I had the knicks. Not sure if i took the heat. definitely took the jazz.
I didn't know marbury was starting, took the jazz, took the pistons cause they been playing better.
hmmm...injury updates