 Sixers Return To The Palace Let's face facts, the Palace at Auburn Hills has been very kind to the Sixers lately. They won game 1 on their first round playoff match there last season, they beat the Pistons there the past 2 times they've met in the regular season. Maybe that annoying "De-troit Basket-ball," guy gives them a little motivation. Who knows why, let's just hope the trend continues today.  Let me begin by saying that this Pistons team does not resemble the team who knocked the Sixers out of the playoffs last season in any way shape or form. This team has been pretty much terrible. That is not to say, however, that they can be taken lightly. Rip Hamilton returned last night against the Wizards and helped the Pistons pull out a 2-point win in Washington, their second in 8 games (the other came against the Clippers.) Allen Iverson and Rasheed Wallace, the team's other two missing starters, did not return. There was some talk about Iverson returning for tonight's game, but now ESPN is saying he's targeting Tuesday's game against the Cavs to make his return. Wallace is listed as day-to-day, so your guess is as good as mine. Detroit can still defend, no matter who they have on the floor, and they can absolutely rebound the ball. If the Sixers are going to win this game, and quickly erase the memory of the Bobcats loss, they're going to need to take advantage of mismatches. Rodney Stuckey cannot handle Andre Miller on the blocks. Use it. Antonio McDyess and/or Jason Maxiell have no prayer of dealing with Thad in spae. Use it. If Prince is locked on to Iguodala all night, so be it. Iggy needs to hit his jumpers to draw Prince out to him, and then how about using some ball screens to get the ball going toward the hoop? Don't be surprised if you see a zone defense from the Pistons. If they do go to the zone, and it's successful, Donyell Marshall should be back on the floor. If you recall, Donyell buried the Pistons in the fourth back in December. Now, I realize I've spent the past 48 hours detailing every single one of Reggie Evans' shortcomings. But if you were paying attention, you realized that I was saying this team needs to realize when to use Reggie, because there are circumstances when playing him is beneficial. Whether tonight is one of those games is kind of up in the air. Typically, you want to use him against teams that like to slow the ball down and run half-court offense. Detroit absolutely fits that category. The run the second-slowest paced game in the league at 86.8 possessions/game. Here's the problem, though. They slow the ball down and then they can't score. Their team offensive efficiency is 20th in the league, their eFG is horrible. They don't shoot well from the two or the three. If I was Coach DiLeo, I'd give Reggie limited burn in the first half to see what happens with him in there. Detroit doesn't have a legit point on their roster, so Reggie could very well completely blow up their offense and force a ton of turnovers. Or, he could get the ball out of Stuckey's hands and into the hands of guys who actually know what they're doing with it, like Prince and Hamilton, who could in turn punish the Philly defense that's trying to cover for Reggie being out of position. Considering how poorly Detroit has played on offense, I'd be hesitant to take the risk of playing Reggie for an extended period of time. I have two keys for tonight's game, and they're both pretty simple:
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Could we talk tournament for a minute? I hadn't watched college ball this year until now and I've been kind of stunned by how weak this draft is going to be, and how few prospects are actually positively affecting their draft stock. James Harden's supposed to be a top-five pick and he was a total non-factor in his games. Blair hasn't really impressed me; he certainly isn't the next Paul Millsap. Sam Young's scored a lot of points but has done so in ways that aren't going to translate so well to the NBA. Henderson's shown he's probably a role player on the next level. There have been a couple guys I liked, like Marcus Thornton of LSU, who could make a nice scorer/shooter off an NBA bench, but generally it looks like really slim pickings.
I really haven't watched much college basketball all season. I watched a handful of games during the tourney and I came away very disappointed in the state of college basketball.
Detroit runs with three points, essentially. Stuckey, Hamilton and Prince. Stuckey's job mostly is to bring the ball up and pass it to Hamilton.
It might be worth Detroit's time to put Tay on Thad, put Hamilton (not a particularly good defender) on Iggy and let Iggy beat them.
Bynum vs Lou might be interesting.
Probably true. Then again, Miller won't be able to handle Stuck's speed.
Pistons should only win if Stuckey/Bynum and Hamilton go off and Maxiell stays out of foul trouble. Very manageable ifs.
Hamilton is a better defender than people give credit for.
Stuckey has been forcing things a bit lately, but there's not a single player on the 6ers roster that can contain Hamilton, Tayshaun or Stuckey all at once.
Then bring Bynum in?
With all that being said... Philly finds a way to win the game.
Prince typically kills the Sixers, so I'm not going to say anything about how he's disappeared this year when they've really needed him to shoulder more of the scoring load.
Stuckey still doesn't impress me.
Hamilton could easily go for 40 if he has his legs under him tonight. Green will get lost on those baseline screens and Miller will get exhausted if he has to chase him around.
Boards and turnovers are the key. I'm not really all that confident about this game, teams are always dangerous at home, and who knows what Iverson's going to bring.
If I remember correctly, Detroit's announcers always go nuts for Willie Green.
McDyess is a very good player and should abuse Thaddeus on the boards. Having said this, McDyess has always sucked against Philly for no apparent reason, so I hope it continues.
McDyess will grab 13 rebounds in his 40 minutes tonight. Thad will grab 6 in his 40. That is worth mentioning IMO.
Thad say in this article today (amongst other things) that his rebounding is down as he is trying to keep the other team's big rebounder (PF) away from the rebound:
http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2009/03/29/sports/doc49cf4d8da37e4471790606.txt
I hope so. Tonight will be a great test as McDyess and Maxiell are amongst the best in the business historially at offensive rbeounding I think.(don't feel like checking) Amir can get after boards as well if he is still alive. Is he?
Big game tonight. I'll be watching Thad on the boards and Iguodala on O primarily. See if Iguodala can shake Prince and if Thad can keep the dogs at bay. I'll also be watching if Miller decides to not contest some more shots tonight.
This is something we can actually track pretty well through box scores. I'll see if it holds water later on tonight if I have the time.
Atlanta beat the Lakers. I think a loss tonight and we can officially forget about the #4 seed.
Jesus, Rip put up 29 shots last night in his first game back. Wonder how his wind is going to be on the second night of a back-to-back. Iverson is playing, wonder how many minutes he'll see after missing 16 straight games.
The Sixers should really zone up with Iverson in the game w/ Stuckey in the backcourt. I mean, really pack it in the paint.
Didn't Iverson say many times (when he was younger and with the Sixers) that he'd never be a bench player and that if that time came he would retire? Frankly, I thought *that* was the reason he hasn't played since he's been 'demoted'.
I'm surprised he came back at all this season. He was probably bored :)
Alrighty, same old, same old starting lineup. Here we go, Iverson looks pumped, now sit on the bench and wait your turn, Answer.
And Willie loses rip on the first possession, then throws up a contest brick on the other end.
and he loses rip on the next possession, wide open jumper. They may need to go big early, with iggy at the 2.
Willie being Willie. It is in Detroit so you know he is going to shoot a lot.
Are they playing Rip on Thad! that's hilarious.
Nice baseline screen to spring Iggy for that jumper. They usually run that play for Willie.
Pick that apple off the tree, Thad.
That was sick. Never thought he'd throw it down, he caught the board around his waist.
2 fouls on Sammy. Zone completely baffled Sixers the last time down the floor. Bring in Speights to combat the zone.
Or even Donyell wouldn't be bad.
Toronto looks like they will hold on with the W over the Bulls.
Ivey playing some sick D on Bynum.
Defense picked up, energy looks good. 31-27 after the first. Only 1 offensive board for Detroit in the quarter.
Just tuned in. Missed the first.
SIck coast to coast there.
Part the seas.
Think Iggy's sending a message here?
Special delivery.
Speights in a shooting funk.
Liked the look of a press or trap there.
The Ivey, Lou, Thad/Iggy, Reggie, Speights lineup is so interesting.
On the season, they are -17 combined in 222 minutes. That isn't bad for a lineup only containing 1 starter right?
That's pretty good for a bench lineup on this team. I think it's highly dependent on the team they're playing, though. They just coughed the lead up pretty quickly.
At first I thot u were kiddin around, but when u look at it closer, it's about the same as losing 4.5 games by an average of 3.5 points/game. It's not bad at all, considering.
Sick play by Iggy on that break to draw the offensive foul.
Sixers shouldn't run offense through Thad in that stretch when he was the only starter out there instead of feeding Evans down low 3 times.
Get Evans out of there please. There's no help in the middle on defense. They've now given him the ball in the post 4 times and he just turned it over and got called for a tech.
Tayshuan really likes playing Philly...
Yeah, he consistently kills us. Iggy can't leave him to help.
DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETROIT BASKETBALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
We'll see if you're still around chirping when they lose by double digits.
I don't have to worry about losing by double digits when I see Donyell Marshall guarding McDyess
Why is Evans still in there at the five?
10 turnovers in the first half and down 3?
I'll take it
The only thing that can stop Thad is not giving him the ball, that's it.
Things settled once DiLeo went w/ the big lineup, although I don't particularly like it w/ Evans in there at the 5.
It's like playin at the casino. Will DiLeo get greedy and continue to play Evans while he's up with the house's money? That's the drama.
Forced 11 turnovers, only allowed 3 offensive rebounds in the first half. Those numbers continue, this game won't be close at the end.
Theo starting for Sammy here in the third. Something must be wrong w/ Sammy.
Strained calf for Dalembert, will not return.
Uh-oh. Not good. That's the same reason Sheed's been out so long. If that lasts any time you can kiss seed race goodbye. Unless Speights can perform well with more and consistent PT.
Dalembert doesn't strike as as much of a pussy as sheed.
Oooooo! lol! Well, depends on the grade of injury i suppose. i guess we'll see.
Miller taking that three just looks lazy to me. Go through Thad or Iggy, please.
Stuckey startin to go off, Maxiell still not in foul trouble... Thad, get to the line!
I am so, so glad that Ratliff is in there instead of Evans.
I always thought Stuckey is much better than Lou, why did he have to choose this game to prove it.
The stretch with Theo and Kwame making free throws at either end was really bizarre.
Seriously, that was surreal.
How many TOs have there been this half? 1?
That step-back from Thad is looking fluid.
Alright, they righted the ship and won the quarter. Now you need to get some contribution from the bench here at the beginning of the fourth, can't cough up the lead again.
83-79 after three, Sixers.
That's exactly it. Detroit's kind of spared their starters a bit more... Philly's bench can hold it together it's a 'W'
Nice, get Lou going to the hoop.
Iguodala, one man show. Holy crap.
When he pulls down a defensive rebound or grabs a steal... it is fun to watch.
Two sick plays in a row from iggy. That floater was preeettyy.
I liked the steal, punctuated by the dunk on the other end a little better.
Message sent.
Evans w/ a spot-up jumper, huh?
To be fair, it seemed like the shot clock was running down. It was bad offense, but not entirely his fault.
Speights looks like he's rushing everything to me.
Seeding is on the line, let's get the starters back in earlier Tony.
Sixer are over the limit now, with 8 minutes left in the quarter.
I suddenly have this nasty feeling that it may go down to AI for the win...
Depends on which AI you mean :)
Another tech? come on.
I wouldn't mind either.
Just use the T to your advantage Iggy.
Who's supposed to be keeping Amir off the boards?
Has Andre Miller really only played 16 minutes?
27
smallest guy on the court eating up the 2nd unit
Another three for Miller? Get the ball to Thad with this lineup, please.
Miller: 12 shots in 16 minutes? Wussup?
40 seconds of rest for Iggy there.
Miller's getting killed on those screens.
Get the whole crew in there. First option must be Thad.
OK, I'm officially pissed. Blowing opportunities left and right, stupid decisions. Need a stop here.
This is suicide. That 8-0 run after the two great Iggy plays seems to have killed this one.
Willie just lets Hamilton trot after the rebound in the corner. Pitiful.
I can tolerate being outplayed. But getting outfought is just not a Philly thing. I sure ain't down with that. And it reminds me of Lou in the GS game, which made me go berserk.
Go for a three here? I guess you have to.
Son of a...
Fuck me. I really don't want to see Lou yukking it up w/ the pistons after the game either. At least Thad has the common sense to look pissed.
6th seed at best, folks.
Every piston except Iverson is shooting 50% or better. Uggh. Can't stop anyone.
Even though we've won some, our defense has somewhat deserted us it seems like the last 15 or so games.
It's been longer than that.
I mean, we're having our stretches of offensive lulls, but, we have sort of had those all year. We just can't seem to get stops especially when it gets closer to crunch time.
lose by double digits?
both teams played hard
Thad had 2 field goal attempts in that 4th quarter.
We got owned by their bench big-time. Bynum and Amir did the damage in the 4th, while Lou and Ratliff were the only bench players to show up for the Sixers.
It was the second night of a back-to-back for Detroit. No excuse to have less energy. Sometimes this team makes you throw up.
No excuse is right. Absolutely none.
we will see them again next weekend and have to split