If fighting for your playoff lives on the second night of a back-to-back against the Raptors isn't enough motivation for the Sixers, they shouldn't have to look back too far to get an extra fire in their collective belly. How about a blowout loss at Toronto's hands exactly a week ago?
If last night was more than a mirage, this one needs to be another blowout win. Let's take a look at the minutes from last night for the Sixers, the Raptors had last night off:
- Iguodala - 35 minutes
- Holiday - 31 minutes
- Lou - 30 minutes
That's really it. No one else played 30 minutes last night. The sad thing is I think Collins could've gotten even more rest for guys, but still, fatigue shouldn't be an issue, even for Brand.
I'd like to see the Sixers come out of the gates angry tonight, and anxious to erase that pitiful loss last Tuesday from everyone's mind.
The tip is at 7pm. This is your game thread. Join me if you're in the mood for a 7-2 finish.
Prediction: PHI 104, TOR 90
I assume no one has seen or heard if Doug is going to use last night's lineup? I'm assuming he is but you never know.
I could see him putting Hawes back in the starting lineup because he's so friggin' awesome. But no, I haven't heard anything.
If Hawes is motivated by being a bench player (whatever, the nets front court sucks, but so does the raptors) leave him there...maybe some other team will be conned into giving him money
Cooney just said on DNL same starting lineup as last night
Maybe this year will be the opposite of their 3 other .500 seasons. Those teams streaked until about 6 games left and then lost out to close the season- only to bounce back and at least show some pride in their 1st round losses.
Maybe this year will be the reverse. They slide until the last weeks and then finish with a brief hot streak... and then get crushed i the 1st round. It would not surprise me one bit.
The Sixers official Facebook page just advertised tonights game with this "fill in" question: I think Spencer Hawes will score _____ points and grab _____ rebounds vs. the Raptors
Couldn't get me less excited about tonights game...
6 pts, 4 rbs - 3/9 shooting in 28 min with 2 TO's and 4 PFs.
I decided to give a little extra (necessary) detail.
anyone want to dismantle this Grantland asshole?
http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/23819/can-the-sixers-middle-class-dream-be-saved
"Support from the pocket-protector set won’t help Philly in the playoffs — assuming they even make it there. This team was never going to oust Miami or Chicago, but their early success broached the possibility of a first-round matchup against a vulnerable team like Atlanta, Boston, or Orlando. That’s not happening now. Last year, when the Sixers lost in five games to the Heat, the series was regarded as a harbinger of coming success. This year, it will be a death knell for the Sixers’ middle-class dream..."
Um, he may be a bit over the top (because he works for that douche simmons) but where is he wrong?
The sixers never were going to oust miami or chicago but might have beaten atlanta boston or orlando in the first round.
Everything he said is accurate, the 'pocket protector' insult aside...considering that ESPN basically supports grantland and that 'pocket protector set' includes ESPN golden boy hollinger.
Seriously - why bother - it's truth at its core
Handle the pick and roll as a key for the Raptors? The Sixers hardly ever run it.
Aaaaand we're off...Voose wins the tip
i hate that 3d graphic
Jrue goes right at Calderon on the first possession. He should really do that about 30 times tonight, but he won't.
Turnover on the other end. Good start.
The Raptors leading the overall series with the Sixers 32-31 just speaks to our continued mediocrity over the years.
Had the right idea the first time. Should've gone back to Jrue in the post instead of the AI9 three.
voose
Voose on the blocks.
Jrue to the line.
Cue up all social media outlets....
They're free. Fuck. Missed both.
Voose to the line.
Jrue to Voose for the 8 footer. Good.
good pass voose
Nice pass, Voose. Brand w/ the slam.
Well, this game is different from the loss last week already. They were garbage on the defensive end in that one, pretty much the entire night.
Good start. More please.
Well ... not a good start then.
Heh. D-leaguers always kill the Sixers.
That's there whenever Calderon is on Jrue.
Ugh, Jrue should have given that up on that break instead of pulling up.
hawes
Turner is officially the 9th man.
Is Meeks hurt?
Not that I could tell, why?
Nevermind. Forgot he was starting, thought he checked into the game for like 1 minute and then was subbed out for Turner. Carry on.
Bad foul Spence.
Two Hawes gems in a row. Can't make the catch, steps out of bounds "chasing" the ball down. Then fouls a jump shooter, who makes the jump shot.
Lou was 25 feet away from his man when he hit that three.
And not much closer on the other 2 pointer.
Turner in the paint.
Looks like Dre is right. Lou can't defend anybody.
PHI 20, TOR 20 after one.
Carbon copy of last night's first quarter, on the scoreboard. Last night, the bench got it done. Tonight, the starters were better.
I'd like a big second quarter here.
Sissy hook from 15 feet. pitiful.
Atta boy, Thad.
Get some fucking stops, huh?
Great D by Jrue there. Think he got the block.
more energy from Turner tonight on both ends...he's looking to crash the glass which he needs to do more of cause he's good at it and he doesn't need the ball to do it
Garbage shot by Kleiza. They hit about 5 complete prayers in that last game.
Sissy runner. Hawes, you're garbage.
Good placement on that entry pass Jrue to EB.
Iggy on the break
Malik Rose was killing Spence..."you have to play strong in this league"
Iguodala owns Kleiza.
Come on, Jodie.
Feels like this one is going down to the wire.
So, TOR has late arriving crowds like LA?
Tough shot, Lou hits it. That fading jumper, no idea why he's so good at that.
I haven't looked up his percentage, but just from the form I'd give Ed Johnson that shot every time.
or even Ed Davis.
think you meant Davis? if so, that's why I wanted no part of him in that draft. He couldn't hit anything outside of 7 feet in college.
odds this play is a lou iso?
You forgot option b, turnover/brokenplay
sweet pass, AI9. Way to make the most of that last possession, guys.
Lou better be out of the game for this last defensive possession.
come out strong here guys
PHI 42, TOR 37 at the half.
Made it back from walking the dog just in time.
Is your dog named after a basketball player? Is it Hawes? Is it?
Heh. Nope. Westbrook.
Had a dog named Barkley at one time, though.
Hrrrr
You might want to clarify who the dog is named after - folks here might not know your eagles bias :)
Jake Westbrook, obviously :)
AI9 against the clock.
Voooose. 9-point lead, push it to 15 quickly.
voose again
that middle eastern guy who sits under the basket, gotta give him credit, feel like he's been a season ticket holder there going all the way back to the start of this Toronto franchise
Voose is hot. 11-point lead. Timeout TOR.
Meeks goes right into the 1-on-3, gets the hoop and the harm. Up 14. Don't let up.
I pretty much hate what Jodie just did, but nice work
dammit jodie
voose
Come on, Jodie.
Voose w/ the sissy lefty, good! Learned that one from Hawes.
Nice look, Jrue. EB, hit the freebies.
Heh, Voose w/ the clothesline. It was on the floor.
Jodie is a really really poor defender and Doug just continues to turn a blind eye
Brand w/ the three. Missed.
Excellent offense.
Voose coming out.
Sissy 20-footer.
Jrue w/ the head butt. Wish he would've made the shot.
Flailing against the zone.
Meeks coming back in, supposedly to bust it.
Thad blows the bunny. Toronto has a big who can dunk. This has just been a terrible second half of the third quarter. They're going to lose if they don't get their shit together soon.
Sissy three seconds.
Hawes, we hate you.
Sissy pathetic contest. Lets him hit the layup and fouls him.
And not even a good hard foul, either.
Hawes and Thad convert on the inside on back-to-back possessions. Needed those hoops.
Anyone who thinks Hawes is a good rebounder, please rewind your DVR and watch the offensive rebound he just gave up.
Meeks brick.
hawes rejected!
Sissy 20 footer rejected into the fifth row. Sweet.
Meeks brick.
Wow, I didn't catch how bad that was the first time I watched it.
That's pretty typical, too.
There are guys in the D League that could do Jodie's job way better than Jodie
PHI 63, TOR 57 after three.
Completely fucked up their great start to the third. Jrue and Iguodala both rested to end the third, I want them both in there until this game is decided.
The first hoop in the fourth Q will give the Sixers more point than they scored in the entire second half last Wednesday.
Hawes still in...
Rushed sissy 18-footer. Then he gets a block on the other end.
Great D, Jrue. Turner in the open floor. nice.
Yeah, Jrue, great steal.
Sissy hook. Good. (walked, no call)
Turner baseline J, good. Think he thought he got fouled.
He always has a lot to say to refs. Kind of annoying.
calderon looks like he got into a boxing fight
Great block, Thad. He controlled it, too.
great job evan
Yeah, ET!
Nice dish, Turner. Thad, hit the freebie. We're approaching laugher status quickly.
TURNER boards, coast to coast for the drive and dish!
Nice look by Jrue for Thad in the lane.
Thad is good at that quick little jump hook thing.
Gotta hand it to Doug for responding to Turner's increased effort with increased minutes-which has only caused Turner to step it up another notch
Another great play, grabs the board takes itup and dishes Brand-and just grabbed another board as I watch
The route is on (route or rout?).
Rout
rout, like bout
andre dagger?
Turner, should've given Davis the jumper instead of leaving the three-point shooter open.
This is the first time Jrue has had 7 assists in a game in over 2 months (Feb. 10th).
Glad he took the leap this year...
Iguodala w/ a demonstrative FU to Collins from the line.
What do you mean?
Everytime he misses a free throw, it's his way of undermining Collins' authority.
4 turnovers for the game.
What a difference a day makes. Evan is everywhere
Got him at pg for mopup time if I'm not mistaken
ET THE 30 FOOT BOUNCE PASS!Zumoff whispers the words "magic johnson"
what is Doug pissed at right now?
PHI 93, TOR 75 Final.
Strong fourth quarter. Time to scoreboard watch. Celts losing by 8 to the Hawks. Bucks and Knicks tied at the half.
Go Bucks! and Knicks! wait
Go Bucks! i guess
27 assists and only 4 TOs for the Sixers. Nice
Is it not counted as a turnover on Turner when he let's the shot clock expire on the last possession?
A team TO, you're right. Just not an individual TO. But still, 27/5 is still pretty good
Team turnover.
I'm going w/ Jrue for POTG. 8/7/7/1/1/0 turnovers.
Honorabel mention: Voose
Over Thad?
yeah, thought Jrue's defense was especially good tonight and he actually played like a PG. Not taking anything away from Thad, but I think Jrue was the key.
Jrue had a decent game; he was the Sixers 2nd best pg tonight...course he is also the 2nd best pg of the roster
Right.
Behind Iguodala.
(Turner is vaaaaaaaaaaastly overrated point guard. He's a ball dominant 2 who needs the ball in his hands and can make passes when defenses collapse on him, either on pick and rolls or dribble penetration. His pure point ability is being overrated because of his necessity to have the ball in his hands for his own offense.
Ha, fair enough. Turner can be a magician running in transition after grabbing a board...in the fourth quarter tonight his passing instincts stood out, he was getting it to the open man in a nice rhythm...I see Jrue miss the moment when someone is open too often...caught a few minutes of Phx and Minn on ESPN the other night and God, if you play with Steve Nash and you are open you will get the ball right in the crucial split second. Such a joy to watch. seems partially pretty instinctive, that skill
You may be right-but Turner's passing has made me ooh and ahh more often than Jrue's. The long bounce pass in transition has appeared in back to back game's-tonight's for Sam Young was better than last night's
I don't think they have any true PGs on this team. I think Iguodala is our best "playmaker" and Jrue, Turner, and Lou can all make plays. But none of them are PGs in the classic definition.
I think this is the most correct answer.
If you were to rank them in order for different point categories:
Court Vision: Iguodala, Lou, Turner, Jrue
Unselfishness/willingness to pass: Iguodala, Turner, Jrue, Lou
Taking care of the ball: Lou, Iguodala, Jrue/Turner (tie)
Although Turner has stretches where he is a gunner too, so he could switch with Jrue in that category sometimes
this is pretty accurate. I find Turner's ability to lead a break off a board to be the most aesthetically pleasing 'playmake' that the Sixers have
Although I feel like Doug's system deemphasizes "true pg" play too
Good win! Let's see if they can make it a streak on Friday.
Gonna watch the last 3 min of the Pacers vs. Cavs game. Should be a good one.
Doug comes right out and praises Evan-said he gave him the ace of spades tonight(his corny lockerroom potg). Bravo you bastard
Boston and ATL in OT...my god Doc Rivers never stops whining, T this clown up, he chews the refs out after every fucking call that doesn't go his way
Neither does tommy heinsohn - did you see pierce get called for the offensive foul when they were trying to run the shot clock down iso...
clearly an offensive foul. And the KG hook on Teague, even more obvious than your typical KG illegal screen...
I only saw the pierce call - had the knicks/bucks fourth quarter on in the background as i was doing my chores :)
But based on tommys comments - the refs work for the hawks
Is Heinsohn the biggest homer announcer in any sport?
Yes. I spent three months in Boston last winter. It is out of control
The hawks designed a play to find josh smith an open look at the 3?
Well that was a dumb idea. Celtics will win, knicks will win
Josh Smith singlehandedly wrapping up the Atlantic for Boston right now, wow he's been bad here in OT
PS - Dwyane Wade should be banned from all future olympic competition
http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/story/_/id/7801502/nba-olympians-compensated
I've always thought that Wade was the real snake on that Heat team. LBJ just had the misfortune of letting his business associates (his unqualified idiot friends from childhood) let him go through that Decision debacle.
Lebron:
"I love representing my country, man," James said. "I've done it since 2004 and I'm looking forward to doing it in London. As far as [pay], I don't know, man. It doesn't matter. I'm happy to be a part of the team, to be selected again."
HE'S EVIL!
The heat are like 10-1 in games without wade this year right?
Hawks outscored 4-2 in overtime
Rondo had 20 damn assists
3 back of the celts,hawks and magic
Most interesting game of the night - the healthy spurs lost to the kobe less lakers and Bynum was a beast...dude stays healthy he's the future of that team Kobe, maybe even the present, maybe you should pass to him a bit more and take shitty shots less?
Does anyone else find it ridiculous that ESPN keeps using Chris Webber on Warriors telecasts?
you mean chirs mullin?
and yes i do
Yes, I got my former player awful commentators confused
Plus Mullins voice just sucks :)