Ten days ago, the Sixers used a suffocating defense, sparked by their second unit, to stifle the Toronto Raptors for their fourth win of the season. Tonight, they're going to need more of the same.
The Raptors have shifted to a bigger starting lineup, with Valanciunas at the five, Bargnani at the four and Dominic McGuire at the three. Thad will be tasked with chasing Bargnani around on the perimeter, which is fine. On the offensive end, I'd like to see the Sixers use whoever Bargnani is guarding to set the screens for Jrue on the perimeter. Valanciunas is a very mobile big man, capable of swarming Jrue with a double. Bargnani, not so much.
The best plan of attack for Jrue would really be to use isolation when Calderon is on him, let him beat him off the dribble and penetrate that way, spread the floor with shooters. The Sixers seem hesitant to run this simple set, instead insisting on using their bigs. This is an adjustment they should've made within several games to this point, but haven't. Against an inferior defender like Calderon, it has to be part of the offense.
Mostly, I'd just like to see the Sixers pick up their seventh win, and a quarter like
the second quarter in their first meeting would be a pleasure as well.
The latest Bynum news hopefully isn't news at all. The words "lesion" and "surgery" have surfaced in rumors. I'm going to continue to bury my head in the sand until he's either (a) ruled out for the season or (b) takes the floor. Nothing to see here until then.
Evan Turner is coming off his best game of the season. Let's see if he string a couple together with McGuire on him. The guy that worries me off their bench is Amir Johnson. He's been very productive this season, and the Sixers always seem to have problems with high energy big guys.
The tip is at 7pm. Use this as your game thread. I'm going to be working late again tonight, but I'll watch on DVR when I get home. A win tonight and the Sixers will salvage a 3-2 home stand after opening with two disappointing losses. It's the small things...
above: THE FRESH PRINCE OF MID-AIR PASSES
A beaming Jrue Holiday even before he was signed to a 41 million dollar guaranteed contract (with attached bonus incentives) and subsequently given carte blanche with the basketball, a compliment of maitre d' "Hawkeye" Collins, who notices every crumb on the carpet as he briskly escorts clientele to tables. (Busboys Hawes, Allen and Brown have a busy winter ahead.)
@Raptors
Kyle Lowry returns to the #Raptors lineup tonight, but will not start according to head coach Dwane Casey.
Jrue turnover on a forced pass. Two the other way.
Need a timeout. 8-0 TOR run, they have way more energy than us here.
jrue jumper
Jrue w/ 2 straight pullup J's.
JRich money!
Lavoy high screen, Jrue drive and lefty finish.
ET venturing into the land of trees. Whistle blows.
nice rebound lavoy
Jrue guns a step-back three way early in clock. O-board, Thad miss.
Damn Jrue, too much juice on an alley pass to JRich.
sissy jumper
Bargs will eat Spencer alive.
Spencer answers Bargs J with his own.
Jrue with a one on one J. Misses. No movement of the ball that possession.
lol that shot
woah how the hell did Swaggy make that one???
Jrue with a too-high pass out to corner to NYoung.
NYoung leaps and grabs it. High arcing J. Swish!! heh
Last 2:40 of quarter outscored 9-5 (with three of those on a bailout prayer from NYoung).
PHI 22. TOR 29. Raptors shooting has to cool off, no? Defense wasn't all bad, they just didn't contest shots as hard as they could. Offensive woes continue with not a lot of ball and player movement with what they've been calling play-wise so far.
evan twisted his ankle i think
NYoung fade from 21. Bucket.
NYoung Hawes pick and roll. Nick with a good pass, of course Spencer gets swallowed up but is fouled. To the line.
DeRozan walked. And he ends up getting it back and converting.
ET turnover. Bad forced pass.
Tighten the D up please!!!
Nick doubled, splits it. Banks one in.
Nick takes one himself. Pulls up, rims out, he's fouled. No passes that possession.
Nick w/ good post defense on Ed Davis. Good job there.
ET with a bad contested 20 footer.
Just not running any sets/screens to get anyone an open look.
NYoung with a nice pass to an open Thad in the lane. Thad to the line.
Dorell came in for a token appearance at the end of the first. Don't even think he logged a minute. Something's up there.
Jrue w/ a penetration and dropoff to Thad for the finish with clock about to expire.
Dag Spencer, gives up o-board. Is his vertical about 6"?
Thad dunk on breakaway.
Got to tighten up the defense and quick. Given up too many points already.
Bad foul there Lavoy. Shot clock was almost expiring.
Damn, catch the ball Lavoy!!! Nice from dish from Thad there.
Jrue Lavoy pick and roll up top. No passes, Jrue dances w/ driblle and pulls up for J.
j-rich 3
Lavoy block! Jrue attacks, kicks out to JRich. MONEY!@
Dammit, can't keep exchanging buckets. Get some stops.
Thad stuffs McGuire. Can't convert. JRich steal and lay-in. 2 pt game. come on ................
nice pass evan
ET with a sweet pass in lane to Spencer for layup. Tie game. 11-2 run.
Jrue attacks. Bucket. 2 pt lead. Stops!!
Ugh, Bargs turnaround on Thad.
Jrue guns again. Triple! He's 7-12 so far.
annndddd Jrue gives it right back. Cheats too far down off Calderon. He cans a cross-court pass for 3.
Tie game at half. Defense still isn't up to par. And Jrue can't possibly carry them all game like this. Casey is sure to adjust and double him more often.
The Raps have 18 assists on 19 made. Some D there huh?
Casey says Holiday has given them problems, they're gonna send extra help. See how Jrue handles that.
lavoy starting the 2nd half
Lavoy starts 2nd half. No Kwame.
JRich block. ET postup. Bucket.
This the Raps 3rd game in 4 days. Run them into the ground.
ET pullup way too early in clock from 16. Bad shot. They convert on other end.
ET with a patient pass inside to Lavoy for layup.
Trading baskets again. Need stops.
That was stupid Lavoy, he was camped out for a day and he still ran right into him instead of pulling up.
j-rich 3
JRich pops out to space the floor on a Jrue drive. Kickout. Money!
woooooo damn is it nice to have a guy who can shoot the lights out like JRich...aaand they give it right back to the damn Euro grr
Bargs 3, Thd w/ a lazy contest. ugh
J Rich moves so well w/o the ball.
hahaha nice spike Jrue
Shoot it Thad!!!! Damn man....
Uh oh. JRich is down on floor.
Jrue dunk. Don't let him be hurt again.
owww not good
Looks like he just bumped his head on the floor when Lowry nearly kicked him in head.
what the hell just happened?
Mad scramble for the ball after JRich recv'd a postup entry pass. He lost balance or something and luckily kicked it out to Jrue but when he fell to toss the lucky pass out to Jrue, Lowry's foot was near his head but it looked like he just bumped it hard against the floor. No update yet.
Spencer 20 footer. clank. he's so frustrating.
bad shot jrue
Jrue with a J and miss. No pass possession again.
Convert on other end. and-one opportunity. Foul on Jrue, Lowry to line. ugh
Thad's touch around the rim doesn't appear to have improved any.
Did ET just not want to challenge DeRozan there or something. Looked like he backed away.
Spencer with an early exit back to bench.
bad shot evan
Bad shot ET. Early pullup J from 15. Convert on other end. ugh
Pass the ball around guys and move!
Dammit. 9-0 Raps run. Up by 8 just like that.
Can't believe Doug is OK with this no ball movement selfish jumpers offense they're trying. It sucks. It's like playground or Y pickups on most possessions.
Anyone got word on JRich's status?
NYoung with another rushed not-set selfish 3.
Bargs 3 on other end. SHit, everytime we take a bad shot, they convert. That's the difference right now. ugh
Going to take a lot to come back and win this one. Down 9 w/ just under 2 to go in the 3rd. D the fuck up!!!
Dorell with another token burn? Looks funny to see him.
ET with a no pass possession 8 footer from baseline.
i would love to see moultrie out there instead of lavoy right now
Need to get this two for one here.
NYoung with a nice pass inside to Thad. He blows the damn bunny though!!
ET iso J to end it. Down 7.
Better pull up your pants and tighten up your belts boys. This one ain't gonna be easy.
See if Dorell comes back out here or if Ivey comes in like in the 2nd quarter. Need to limit the o-boards being given up.
Spencer can't guard Bargs on the perimeter. Don't like this lineup.
D3!!
Its good to see dorell knock that down.
NYoung with another contested bad shot from deep. ugh
Spencer, Lavoy, Dorell, Nick, ET.
Tech on bench? Doug w/ a Tech? wonder why?
Jrue back in w/ 10 left. Down 5. Spencer back to bench.
Wich ET would have kicked that out. He had 3 guys spotting up on that side of court.
ET wants to take another one and drive in. Please pass the ball.
Got to get over the hump. Need this lead in the worst way. I'm not sure they can secure enough stops to do it though.
Jrue guns a contested 3. Brick.
JRich back in. ET sits, I'd assume for those selfish plays no?
NYoung has been to the stripe 6 times. Jrue zero.
Jrue has 2 pts so far in 2nd half.
SHit, Raps in bonus w/ 8+ min left. sheesh
Doug is in desperation mode. Going super small.
Jrue, JRich, NYoung, Dorell, Thad at the 5.
nice pass nick
NYoung with another sweet left handed dime to Thad. He's had 3 or 4 nice dishes tonight.
Jrue guns another early in the clock J. Pass the DAMN ball!!!!! So selfish.
NYoung drive!!! Down 3. Come on........
Jrue's got a couple of guys that have shot well tonight in JRich and NYoung, he needs to look to set them up and stop forcing so much of his offense and just instead get it in the flow. This one on one is tiring to watch.
Geebus Jrue!!!! Fouls DeRozan w/ one on the shot clock. ugh ugh ugh
NYoung with ANOTHER nice pass to find Thad for a layup. Dag Nick!!!
F me! Demar 3. shit
Jrue kickout to NYoung. BANG!!!! Got that 3 back. come on.
Still down 3.
We've got this drive and kick going right now. Just keep doing that w/ Jrue b/c Calderon can't stay in front of his penetration.
Wish JRich would have knocked that open one down to tie it though. ugh
Just get over that hump. Once you do....
NYoung w/ a contested three. BANG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
nice pass jrue
Jrue nice find by Thad on the slip. Up 2!!!! come on stops
nice dish jrue philly up 2
Thad w/ the slap off Bargs leg.
Come on, be smart here. Don't rush. ..... Jrue w/ a way to deep three. shit
They convert on other end. Tie game again. ugh
JRich can't stay with Lowery's penetration
JRich with a nifty attack to the hole. AND-ONE!!! come on guys
jrue backing down calderon for the score. AND J-RICH WITH THE AND 1.....!!!!
jrue backing down calderon for the score. AND J-RICH WITH THE AND 1.....!!!!
One stop. PLEASE
Got to hang in here. Miss one Kyle!
lowry sucks at the line 2night
He missed both!!!! Please convert here to go up 5
j-rich 3!!!!!!!!!
Jrue holds it the whole possession. Penetrates deep. Kicks out w/ 2 left on clock to JRich....
MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
J-Rich dagger from jrue penetration...!
JRich got stepped on and is making the Raptors pay!
Holiday looks like vintage Nash right now penetrating & kicking out to his shooters
True, he looked vintage Monta Ellis most of the night though. 1st half, pretty good results. 3rd quarter and half of the 4th, not so much.
Heh, Doug went desperate with small ball and they couldn't adjust and wilted.
I don't know if POTG goes to NYoung, JRich, or Doug. heh
I'd say NYoung just because he accumulated some damn nice assists. But that is not to slight JRich in any way, he was terrific. Doug was the maestro tonight though.
THad steal!!!! annnnnnnddddddd for sure DAGGER! HA.
I love when they end up like this for the good guys. Was really worried and pessimistic there for a bit. Doug pulled the rabbit out of the hat when he pulled ET and I think Lavoy.
dont think turner played in crunch time
lol Nick Young: "I'm just glad I hit those shots. I didn't wanna hear Doug's mouth."
Jrue could have had damn near 20 assists if he didn't fall into jack-mode so often. Only scored 4 pts in 2nd half but he took a heck of a lot of bad shots to get even that. I look at his line and go "hey, good night for the kid", but after actually witnessing it it sort of was really pissing me off even when he was knocking down those J's in the 1st half. Don't like possessions where he doesn't even let his teammates touch the ball.
Nick Young: Swaggy P came in and got the job done.
Malik: LOL, he's got to stay away from referring to himself in the 3rd person.
gotta love malik
12 assists to 3 turnovers for jrue
also 0 FTA
Didn't mention him much besides being the recipient of really good passes, but Thad had a really quiet good night too.
@tmoorepburbs
#Sixers Collins: 'My starting lineup has not been good. I'm going to change that.'
Nick Young has to get my vote for POTG. 8 big points and 3 assists in the 4th. When we were down six, he hit the 2 big threes to tie it.
Sixers video: Nick Young after scoring a season-high 23 points in the win over the Raptors:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeAvMk9JnbI