Can the Sixers complete the rare home-and-home sweep of a divisional rival? Did Doug Collins have time to make the needed adjustments after seeing the Celtics smother his offense? Will tire legs be to the Sixers' advantage, or will the Celts figure out a way to better utilize their pick-and-pop game tonight on their home floor? Only one way to find out...
45 minutes for Pierce, 42 minutes for Rondo and 44 minutes for Jason Terry last night. 34 for Garnett, which is nothing to sneeze at. Both teams were dead tired at the end of overtime last night, but the short turnaround has to favor the Sixers. If they're able to make one adjustment, it has to be to either scrap or make an adjustment on their pick-and-rolls with Jrue handling the ball. Boston suffocated that play all night by doubling Jrue. If they're going to stick with it, two things I'd do. First, never send the guy Garnett is covering. Garnett's way too mobile. Second, learn the lesson you learned earlier in the season and send the screen way out past the three-point line, so the big is drawn way too far from the hoop and Jrue has room to maneuver with an advantage once he escapes.
I expect we'll see more of Turner handling tonight, probably earlier in the game, which works because Boston isn't attacking him the same way they were attacking Jrue. The key for the Sixers overall is going to be keeping their energy level up throughout. No lulls. No easy stretches for the Celtics. When the Boston bench comes in, you need to turn up the pressure and make it imperative for Rivers to go back to his starters on their normal rotation, rather than giving him the luxury of extending his bench minutes because they're doing OK out there.
Shoot better, especially from deep, and Boston won't be able to swarm the lane like they did last night. On the defensive end, they made a concerted effort to limit those easy possessions where Bass or Garnett can just set a pick and pop for an open 20-footer. Keep that up. Make Boston work for good looks like they had to last night.
A bounce-back game for Jrue and just average shooting from the shooters should be more than enough to sweep this back-to-back from the Celts and move to four-games over .500 again. Get it done.
The tip is at 7:30. This is your game thread. I'll be here throughout. Join me if you'd like to see some green blood spilled on the Garden floor.
Any word on if Rondo is going tonight?
"Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo's ankles are "fine" after twice tweaking them in Friday night's 95-94 overtime loss to the 76ers. He is expected to play in Saturday night's rematch in Boston.
Paul Pierce landed on Rondo's ankle while grabbing a rebound with 1:47 remaining in regulation, but Rondo limped through it and continued to play. Then, on Rondo's failed baseline jumper as overtime expired, both ankles buckled as he slippped on a Sixers decal on the Wells Fargo Center floor. His Celtics teammates rushed to his aid, helping him to his feet and off the court.
"He left the locker room walking fine," the Celtics media relations staff relayed, "and [coach] Doc [Rivers] nor our trainer [Ed Lacerte] mentioned anything."
Rondo missed a game against the Nets this season with a sprained ankle, and he has missed extended stretches in both of the past seasons with the same injury."
While it wasn't pretty, still pumped up from last night's ending and just now reading this.
Let's go Sixers!!! Bury these mofo's.
another winning effort from The Villain and I think Eddie's is getting himself a #12 t shirt (only kidding)
So off base with a T-shirt
Try two jerseys, road blue AND red
:)
i might be wrong but werent the sixers having trouble running the pick roll even if garnett wasnt involved
Yeah, but not as much. Garnett's probably the best big I've ever seen at defending it. What I'd actually like is a small-on-small screen. Like whoever Jason Terry is guarding, use his man to set the screen and get Jrue on Terry if they switch. If they double, you can slip him for a three.
anybody notice youngboy Lavoy giving shit right back to KG yesterday? I was proud of him for bodying up KG and giving his shit right back to him.
We get a strong presence inside from Thad (and Spencer?) on putbacks plus Lavoy poping out a little and we should be okay in that category. JRich needs to find the bottom of the net too.
ET finally coming into his own. That late-game 15-fotter must have been a huge confidence builder. We got this!
Lavoy remains Garnett kryptonite.
Right. So why does he look like shit against lesser players?
No idea. It's almost like he takes pleasure in pushing the bully around. The funny thing is there's no outward emotion shown, ever. He's so stoic.
On that note, I've always felt Thad was like that too. But last night was the first time that I can remember him showing outward emotion. After that right-handed follow slam, he belted out loudly. Telling.
it's a fans game
mymanjrue put 'em over the top last night
will statman do the same tonight?
can he compensate for evan's inevitable drop-off?
will he continue the hex on terry's shot?
is tom heinsohn firing up the green locker room?
whose feet are worse - collins', toney's or walton's?
who was better - larry siegfried or jerry sichting?
who set better picks - jungle jim loscutoff or jim bad news barnes?
sixers, celtics - fun
enjoy, fans
You sound pretty confident tonight. I'm not feelin' it. But I am UP for this game.
God I hated Siegfried. Figures he was Bobby Knight's teammate. They must have been fun to play against.
Heinsohn Saturday night special
Grrrreat
Ugh. I've got the old drunk racist tonight. Maybe I'll just mute the TV and listen to the sixers radio broadcast on the radio.
What station? I'd consider that too.
I'm not sure if you can listen to the game here or not: link.
I'll try. Thanks.
Tiresome Tommy. He was just saying nice things about Turnah.
I never heard the Sixers' tv crew before this year - they're really good.
No slow start please.
And for the whole night, not so much one-on-one like last night's 4Q and OT, move the ball around and keep swinging it from side to side. Make their legs burn more. Ball movement!
j-rich's right wrist has been bothering him, something to keep your eye on
Aaand we're off...Lavoy loses the tip.
Bass is trash.
Jrue should've taken the layup there.
Hope they don't give PP every phantom call in the book tonight.
KG walked on that shot.
No o-boards, come on.
Come on Thad, put a body on your man - Bass.
jrue goes right by rondo
Pretty, Jrue.
Shit, take the three, Jrue. Turnover trying to get it back to ET.
Come on Evan, move the ball man....
Pick and pop bullshit. Damnit. Slow start.
Thad has rimmed out about 3 shots already I think.
Last night, too.
evan jumper
Good job, Lavoy.
Make it four for Thad.
JRich money!
Come on, that's fucking sad defense.
Richardson for three!
Gonna have to put Richardson on Pierce.
Thad offered no resistance once PP got by Evan on the previous possession.
Having Lavoy mirror KG's minutes is a good move.
Grab the fucking ball, Hawes. Just standing there watching it.
Any reason why he pulled Lavoy so quick and put in Mr. Wonderful?
Mirroring KG's minutes.
nice jrue
Spencer comes to set pick, his man tries to double, Jrue splits it.
tremendous play
some good defense by Hawes there but Boston gets it back and scores. That one possession might have worn out Pierce.
Horseshit call. He wasn't set.
Wonder why they didn't stop play there when the shot clock expired? They let it continue even though the buzzer went off before the rebound.
it hit the rim off the board, I think.
looked like the ball hit the rim
Oh, really? I thought it just clanged off the glass.
Evan really needs to work on picking his head up when he's in dribble-drive mode. Bad habit.
The Celts religiously give the foul on easy opportunities at the rim. Cost Jrue four assists last night. Have to finish through the contact.
that's coaching
Game starting the way last night's started. Doug took Jrue out w/ 4:28 to go in the quarter. That's early.
Too hard for us on the offensive end so far.
Really need to create some turnovers or secure boards and outlet the ball immediately. No fast break point tries yet. Run these mofo's.
Moultrie fails to box out.
JG and-one opportunity. shit
Moultrie if you don't want to disappear from the rotation you better put a body on someone.
Hawes, you're fucking pitiful.
Why the fuck is Damien Wilkins dribbling the ball so much? geez
Sullinger 22-footer. Ugh.
Good follow by Moultrie.
I'd like to see someone make a play for someone else.
Turner and Jrue on the bench?
Jrue back in, ET out.
Yeah.
wright puts it in
Jrue is getting into the teeth of their defense (paint) at will. Kickouts and/or layups are there.
Then he settles for a long 2 to end the quarter??
BOX THE FUCK OUT.
Come on Moultrie. Guard the guy.
Who did they call that foul on?
PHI 16, BOS 24 after one.
Feel like the rotations are all out of sorts. Need shooters out there w/ Jrue when he's getting penetration. Kicking out to Wilkins is pointless.
Not an even close to decent quarter. Too much of a struggle to get a look on offense. Defense left a lot to be desired too.
So befuddling we really don't have a backup PG that's worthy. So frustrating too.
Ugliest fans in the league, folks!
heh
Lavoy's got to make that shot. ugh
Two on Jrue? No, other went on Hawes.
WTF was that? wide open lane.
GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER...............
Like why the hell is Lavoy so quick to double Jeff Green with JRich having him in containment? WHY DAMMIT
seems like that is the game plan
Down 12. Not good. Rivers is going to give his main guys rest if they can't cut into it soon.
Make the damn bunnies please!!!!!!!!
Pretty play by Jrue, no finish by Lavoy. Come on.
that's what they get out of a time out? this is hideous
ANother blown close-in one by Lavoy. Arrrggghhhh
Fucking point-blank shots...
jrue jumper
My goodness, will somebody PROTECT the FUCKING RIM?????
That was actually a nice play by the Celts. 2nd cutter through.
Turner's fault.
Come the fuck on. 2 on Jrue.
Good hustle Jrue!!!!
Ugh, terrible shot by JRich.
Not the 3rd on Jrue there was it? No, on ET.
they are just NOT in atack mode
Well, they broke 20 in the first half, wasn't sure if that was going to happen or not.
Man, this is just bad. Rondo and-one.
Rondo stepped out of bounds, no fucking whistle. Awesome. 3-point play (if he could shoot freebies)
Another bailout call.
I hate fucking Rondo. He misses the free throw so badly the ball goes directly into his chest for an O board
They need to be careful here. Can't let it get too far away from them. Don't need any big hills to climb back from all game.
Unless they play like they did in Game 6 in the playoffs last year, I fear they are already out of it.
The start of the 3rd will be critical.
j-rich 3
The Sixers trying to score so far has been an absolute adventure.
JRich money!!
Give Jrue the assist on that :)
they can't get a single rebound and now here's Hawes - great
That's Sixers ball. Ugh.
6.5 per
I prefer to think of it as just flushing $13M down the crapper at once, rather than breaking it down per year.
Yeah, after that flush it's like they forgot to wipe.
that was out on bass
26.7% from the floor, so far. Probably not going to cut it.
Thad about 8 inches short on the FT.
thad splits them
Turner stuffed by a crowd.
PP layup. ugh
If Turner picks his head up he's got Richardson wide open for a corner three instead of getting rejected by three celts.
Hawes hasn't gotten his obligatory defensive 3-seconds call yet.
Clean it up!!! come on
Terrible turnover, Jrue.
I don't think an NBA team can play worse than this. It's like Game 5 last year (& the first half of Game 6)
Our offense is still terrible. All the rebounds are falling to the Celtics. This is very tough to watch. This is about as few points as any team can score in a half.
Jrue's jumping to pass too much tonight. Think it's because of the height that's on him.
Bad shot Jrue.
ET clanks off front of rim. ugh
I'm getting nauseous
They're shooting the lights out. Of course, our defense has had a lot to do with that on most possesions too.
That was a clean block by KG on Thad there.
Who blocked that? Jrue or Thad?
Jrue. They didn't credit anyone, though.
Impossible for me to believe an NBA team can win a game without scoring 30 by halftime
Another contender for worst half of the season? There have been a lot of those. Though I'm sure i hate losing to Boston more than losing to Milwaukee/Detroit.
sissy tip in
Terry gets bailed out a la Pierce
6.5 per
with the foul with 1.5 on shotclock
PHI 28, BOS 48 at the half.
Well, no chance they play another half that bad, you'd hope.
Twelve points in the 2nd quarter.
12.
Twelve.
Record setting half for lowest pts scored for the franchise.
I believe they did it in the '82 playoffs, game 6. 28 pts - check it out
Thank goodness for those 8 made free throws. Cause they only made 9 damn shots the whole half.
Cut it to 10 going into the fourth. That's the goal.
wd take that in a heartbeat
evan tip in
Good follow ET.
Pick your head up, Turner.
Garnett is making everything. Damn.
Just a all-around bad idea there JRich. terrible
Way to find the mismatch w/ Rondo on Thad.
How many times are you going to get beat by that?
thad again
Come on Thad.
Amazing how reliant we are on him to score inside.
Come on. Make a fucking run.
We keep doubling with our bigs, their bigs score.
thad to lavoy
Lavoy lazy.
or maybe Thad should have rotated over quicker. Either way...ugh
Thad's really playing well... but nobody's taking Wilcox.
Can't trade baskets here.
terrible on D just let Wilcox make two dunks with no resistance whatsoever. Don't let it be that easy.
I hate it when teams realize our bigs are pathetic.
Garnett is 8 for 10. Gonna be an uphill climb. Where's Richardson?
Sunday column: Is Collins' patience wearing thin?
http://www.phillyburbs.com/sports/sixers/is-collins-patience-wearing-thin/article_aefec1ce-c566-50cd-9aa3-6b1570f727ef.html
Hawes, you rock.
Feels like they are making every jumper. Ugh
Well, one positive I guess is, they aren't pulling their typical tease on me tonight.
jrue to wright
Didn't like that shot from Turner. But it went down.
just get it to
less than 10
God damnit. Why is Dorell handling there?
Why is Dorell initiating the offense? Turnover.
jrue 3!
Bang. JRUE43!
Jrue 4 3! down to 12
Jrue 3 just what they needed
down to 10
Finally they start missing a few. Let's make a run here.
Thad. D the fuck up!!!!!
Keep fucking pushing. Finish this quarter strong, damnit.
Get a pulse, will ya? Show some mettle.
and a Hawes block leads to a basket
Hawes fouled him with his bitch tits there.
LOL
comment of the thread.
Stop sending Hawes to set the pick please.
defensive 3 and it's not on hawes???
Um, didn't Thad get fouled there? Bet if it was PP they would have blown the whistle.
Thad was fouled there.
PHI 57, BOS 70 after 3.
Great quarter, but gave back 5 points in the last minute plus. Crushing.
could have gotten back into the game there and didn't.
lavoy tip in
Jrue out. Need a miracle here in the next four minutes or so.
Allen tip.
F me. Open JG 3
Damn the Lavoy turnaround is surely one of the worst shots we can take. And we've taken it at least twice tonight.
Come on Evan.
good job wayns
They're gassed.
But still canning 20-footers.
Sorry attempt at the switch there. Another JG 3
That one was a two, I think.
I'd love to be able to say "put xxx lineup in" but there just isn't a lineup that really works. I'd probably go small. Thad at the five, Wright at the four, Jrue, Richardson and Turner outside. See if you can't up the pressure that way. All the Celts are doing is shooting jumpers anyway.
Fuck you Wayns. He really works my nerves.
Get Jrue and J-Rich back in there and we try to make a run.
Wayns falls down on every layup attempt.
Just look at him shoot the J, Hawes.
6.5 per
and clank your J.
Jrue and Thad back. Down 16, 8 minutes to go.
Shitty shot selection, Turner.
sissy jumper
We keep encouraging the long 2 and they are as good as anyone at making them. And they been making that all night.
Can J-Rich suddenly get hot and make a couple of threes to get us back in this? It's taken 3 games but I'll say it, I miss Swaggy.
evan corner 3
Turner corner 3
Hawes just let Bass float loose for that J. He's so fucking clueless.
They shoot 60%, we shoot 40%. Not gonna win like that.
It's pretty messed up when you only score 28 pts in the first half, yet come out and put up 29 in the 3Q. heh
thad
Hawes leaves Bass for an open J.
6.5 per
we had 2 good looks at a 3 and one not-too-good look. Shots not falling for us, that's kind of the story of the game.
Game. Fuck you, Hawes.
Hawes jacks a 3.
shitty flushed 13 (6.5 per x2)
I'm out guys. Thanks, it was rough.
Nice work, Hawes. Excellent effort.
Nice box out, Hawes.
Hawes is the epitome of his number, double zero.
Why in the fuck they re-upped this putz I'll never know.
I hate losing, but I really really hate losing to the C's.
PHI 79, BOS 92 final.
Much better second half, but didn't matter. Got it to 8 in the third, then gave up the 5-0 run to end it and that was all she wrote. Thad is the player of the game.
For the record, I will not be buying a Turner road jersey.
Ever.
They need to trade him on Tuesday prior to the stretch of games against Chicago, Indiana, LA, Dallas, and Houston.
http://gizmodo.com/5892424/five-years-of-every-nba-shot-attempt-visualized
Anyone know where to find shot charts for games? It seems like the Sixers shot more inside but where beaten by long 2's.