A tragically bad team is coming to the WFC tonight to face the Sixers. Another swing game, win and Philly remains above .500 (hopefully, for good), lose and it'll feel like the other shoe is finally dropping.
Lineups
- PG: Jrue Holiday vs. Luke Ridnour
- SG: Jodie Meeks vs. Wesley Johnson
- SF: Andre Iguodala vs. Michael Beasley
- PF: Elton Brand vs. Kevin Love
- C: Spencer Hawes vs. Darko Milicic (or Nikola Pekovic)
There are a couple of obvious fun matchups to keep an eye on. Iguodala guarding Beasley and Beasley "guarding" Iguodala. How will Brand keep Kevin Love off the glass? Will Collins go with that at the four at all while Love is in there with another legit big? Will Minnesota's big lineup give the Sixers problems? Will Collins go to Turner early to negate the size advantage at the two?
This had better be a win, that's all that really needs to be said. I'm looking forward to it.
Prediction: PHI 110, MIN 98
The tip is at 7pm. I'm going to have to watch on replay, so the game thread is yours, guys. Enjoy, keep it civil, and make me proud. Also, use this thread throughout the day to bounce around whatever topics may pop up.
The session I'm most looking forward to at SSAC: Tough call, maybe this one - "Allocation and Dynamic Efficiency in NBA Decision Making" - Matthew Goldman and Justin M. Rao.
Comment on HoopsHype forums
Even though he has dislocated his right pinkie finger in each of the last two games, Elton Brand insists that all is fine. Brand did concede there is some pain. Being out of the lineup would cause him more distress. When asked after Thursday's practice if it bothers his shooting, Brand said, "A little bit but it's the pinkie. I have definitely adjusted to it."
I feel good about this game. The Sixers will come back strong after the Dallas loss.
Hoping to see a Holiday/Meeks/Turner/Young/Speights lineup for long stretches tonight. Minnesota is the team to try that lineup against. I would also like to see Turner being given the ball in his hands for a lot of possessions.
The wolves are terrible, the sixers should pummel them
Did you catch the webcast?
I caught the tail end of a "GM" one - dude from the maple leafs was killing it and then watched the basketball analytics one - which was kind of not so good
Brook Lopez played 35 minutes and got two rebounds.
Wes Johnson had a couple of big games recently but has any of the top 10 picks, besides Turner, contributed to a possible playoff team?
The ten worst teams in the league in year x tend not to be playoff teams in year x + 1. However, the 10th pick (no coincidence there), Paul George, is on a playoff team, and has contributed more than Turner has.
anyone got a stream link to the game p2p is a no go
Tuned in a little late, was eric snow really saying Jodie Meeks was a key to the game?
Sluggish start here. No life in the arena either. Need an early timeout.
really dead in there..this team seems to enjoy playing in silence though
Don't really have a choice - fans have other dollar choices.
Besides, rango came out today - they're all seeing rango
come on Iggy.
Seems to be a habit that Jrue passes up the 3 for a long two.
We started out very similar to this the last time we played them. Hope the ending is the same.
Turner w/ his second good-looking J.
Nice to see Turner's shot is hitting.
But he was Speitght-esque w/ his non foul on that layup just given up.
How many minutes has Randolph been getting since they got him? Would hate for his breakout game to happen vs. us... not probable, but possible
Defense has been horrible...lets go guys.
Put Thad on Randolph and Speights on love please.
Man the wolves are active. I believe their oldest guy (by age) on the floor was just Lazar Hayward and he's a rookie
That was painful to watch. Wake up fellas.
Love on pace for a 40/30.
Inexcusable quarter, just no damn energy. Not picking on, but what the heck is Andre's deal? He's just off, and has had a few games where that's shown itself lately. That point-forward thing has nearly vanished.
You could almost say they look like they're off a back-to-back the last couple games, they look spent, or tired. No one attacking boards, not really attacking the defense (which has had its share of zone), just lifeless of sorts.
Sixers offense seems to be lacking an identity.
So true. I thought that point-forward thingie was the start of it, at least they tried to sell it as that it seemed.
EB, thank goodness for him.
Thad w/ runout!
Collins needs to start fining players for passing up open 3s.
Evan w/ another J. He sure likes those 20 footers.
Hey look - another bad first quarter
Yeah, not surprising considering who starts each game.
That Iguodala fella just stinks
Got the lead back, no looking back now? Like first game?
At what point does Doug Collins notice that the reasno the sixers have these first quarter issues is the piss poor rebounding.
5 offensive rebounds already for the wolves - come on
EB on fire!
Didn't Lou have Dre for the oop there? But he took it himself? looked like he had the pass near/before the top of the key....
Damn Jrue. what a brick. way off
Marreese drawing a foul.. then a jumper
He also seems active on D
Really good rotation there on the blocks. He not only got the stop, but switched men to do it. Nice.
meant Speights above
If that's Mo you're talking about, this might be the most significant thing to come out of this game.
When he rotated over, I was literally stunned. One of the few times I've seen simple awareness from him.
How's Speights looking in the defensive effort department?
Dre w/ a brick. ugh
Dre w/ a swift pass to EB. He's been looking for him a lot tonight
Trip-Dub watch for Iguodala. It'll be a pathetic one though with the way he's shooting.
Andre does/can do so many other good things, just wish scoring would be even more of a consistent weapon from him. We're a tough beat when he gets his share.
Like when he just gave the slightest of a forward-dribble to get Meeks a look at a three.
This is the type of game where I would like to see Doug go in the locker room and rip them a half-good one. Just to make them aware that this will not cut it in the playoffs. Can't be depending on the bench bailing you out at that stage. Just a recipe for disaster.
Was it really that much of a better 2nd quarter? Looked more like the Wolves are just bad to me. Still up 7 is nothing to be upset about.
Just keep it up and finisn another one off.
EB is just bringing it.
Andre - 7 assists
EB 8-12
wow...lol.. does he see anyone else?
We played small most of that half. Bigs didn't hardly get any minutes except Brand.
The NBA should never schedule the Timberwolves as a Friday night game. Not a good draw. Make them a Tues/Wed game or something.
Whew, Andre with a beauty of a snap pass to Hawes for the j, his eighth dime.
Damn, Jrue blows the gimmie, and Hawes botches the putback.
Dre w/ the Gervin-esque finger-roll.
amazing
Pekovic beasting, at times. ugh
Jrue!
Jrue gets carved up though.
What was EB doing to Love there? Dag, he was pushing him or something wasn't he?
let's capitalize on this.
Walk away from tv, come back and Love is limping off court. How'd it look?
SPEIGHTS!
Our crowd should cheer if we're up 4. They seem to only do it if it's a dunk on the break or a three. Get in the game!
Jo-3!
Who got the charge? You know....lol
Dre has certainly rebounded from when I mentioned that he was looking off tonight, cause that has turned out not to be the case after the first quarter. Though not those previous games scattered throughout.
And on cue - Dre 3!!
glad to see Hawers sitting and Speights playing.
triple double for Iggy tonight for sure.
Hated on your scoring, you plated on the scoring. The D r e.
Up 12. Good effort, and much better energy and involvement as a team.
Annnnd Speights committing the charge...ha
awful call
Maybe the crowd will have enough alcohol in them in the 4th quarter. We're up ten, and they're half-cheering.
damn Thad.
Come on Evan....
What a messed up ending to that what was an awesome quarter.
They cut it back on a last second shot. Coughed up what should have been a significant lead.
Lou forcing a J, he gets bailed out by a foul.
And the damn PA guy massages the microphone saying Lou's damn name....
Turner w/ another 18 footer, and he swishes it.
Love w/ o-board. ugh
This game is far from over.
Lou coughs it up. come on
Lou w/ a good pass to EB but he goes too deep before pulling it.
5 pt game, Lou clanking.
Damn, Beas for a gimmie! come the eff on!!!
Only 3 pt game now. shit
get Iguodala back in, get Lou out fast
Lou better not be on the floor after this timeout.
Man, we just seem to be relaxed with the lead we had or something, just let up off the pedal after the subs came in.
Thad out of the timeout. Evan had a lane but didn't take it.
F me! Hayward 3 and tied. 11-2 run for them
ET!
Thad! up 4 lets go get a stop.
steal Thad, ET, quick pass, Dre!
the difference is like night and day.
need to secure boards now.
Finish this mutha....up 6 w/ 6 to go.
Dre earns a trip to the line. Just make these please.
Andre with good hustle defense. still minny ball, we're still not in the clear.
Whew, Ridnour cans a later that late deep three, shot clock violation.
TY gets stuffed.
Ridnour makes a toughie over Meeks.
Thad w/ layin.
F me, Ellington 3. 3 pt game.
I don't care how it's looked, just secure this hard earned victory, they can't all be easy no matter how bad the team.
Dammit Jrue! shit
Ellington w/ his share of fan club being at home.
EB w/ a smooth one. 12 dimes for Dre.
Up 3, finish this thing!
Ellington heat check...
Iggy's three was in the damn rim and came out...
Our ball on the scrum....
I'm serious, this has been the quickest game.
Oh my! Dre w/ another dime to EB on the tough fadeaway! Yes
EB - huge bailout plays.
EB w/ the board beasting it....saying let him back in the playoffs.
Up 5. Dre at the line. cans both for the second time...
Iggy still searching for the board. looked at Meeks funny. lol
They're showing a graphic now that just makes me say why did those 6 games have to happen, just why? It seems it more years than not on those type of games to me, they always seem to happen to us most years.
Damn...it's a shame Iguodala couldn't get that last rebound.
YESSSS!!!
he snatched that thing like a crackhead.
well then, that's done with.
head back, head back....
Good win, good thread.
Hope your family is safe Brian, and other families are safe out there.
Dre with the non-pathetic triple/double. Brand was a beast too. Good night for our veteran duo.
Andre.....please just do that every night shooting the ball.. please, we'd be a tough out for sure...
Knicks is still up for grabs, come cle.....
Wish we had drafted JJ instead of Marreese though. just imo
I don't think you're alone in that opinion. He would look good running the p/r with Jrue.
a man's triple double :)
Come on Cavs, yes offensive foul...come on
BD gunning a three...shoot
Amare w/ a bucket. up 2
Parker for 3! cle up 1...
cavs ball w/ 10 left
BD 3! yes!!!!!
That was the dumbest shot. Well, it wasn't as dumb as the one he missed with the game tied at 110. Still, you're up 1, the shot clock expires with 4 to go, and with 10.6 to go you pull up for three? And you're not a good shooter, you're one of the league's worst, Baron Davis?
lol, that SOB went in that's all i care...heh
Sixers gain a game.
awesome thread guys
Mavs beat the Pacers, too. Good night all around.