Well, if you were even tangentially in a playoff race with the Sixers, Saturday was your day. The Heat, Pistons, Bulls and Bobcats all won, so while the Sixers were resting up, the competition was gaining on them, and separating themselves a little bit.
Heading into the showdown with the Pistons at 6pm, Philly stands firmly in 6th place, 2.5 games up on Chicago (4 in the loss column), 2.5 up on Detroit (3 in the loss column), 5 games up on Charlotte (6 in the loss column). Miami pushes their lead over the Sixers to a full game (but they're tied in the loss column). Atlanta remains 4 games up on the Sixers for the #4 seed (only 3 in the loss column).
I don't need to tell you how important tonight's game is. My pregame will be up later, but that's where things stand. Congrats to Villanova on their Final Four berth.
I think with the last defeat and Atlanta's victory there is no chance of catching them for #4. #5, however, remains a realistic target and the team must be willing to do whatever it takes to reach that goal.
Detroit will play without Rasheed and Iverson. We have to find a way to beat them.
Atlanta hasn't won. They're still only 3 up in the loss column.
Now we get to see what the Sixers are made of...every game from here on in is playoff basketball in my book. I love it !
Atlanta's next five (before friday) were tough (they're about to tip off against the Lakers in Atlanta right now) while the sixers did have an easier schedule...there's still enough time to catch them, but the wolves/bobcats sixers aren't going to catch them.