Tonight's game is the first of a hellish nine that could either embolden this young Sixers squad for a playoff push, ruin the confidence they've built over the past nine, or maybe just show them how hard they're going to have to work to reach the level of some of the teams they're going to face. Learning experience or turning point, the results count, so let's get our predictions on the record.
Here's the schedule (NSFW):
vs. LAL (19-7) tonight
@ ORL (16-9) tomorrow night (back-to-back #1)
@ CHI (16-8) on 12/21
@ BOS (21-4) on 12/22 (back-to-back #2)
@ DEN (15-9) on 12/26
@ GSW (9-16) on 12/27 (back-to-back #3)
@ PHO (12-12) on 12/29
@ LAL (19-7) on 12/31
@ NOH (15-10) on 1/3/2011
The first 6 games are all back-to-back situations, meaning Collins needs to worry about the second game during the first, then deal with a tired team in the second. Only Golden State has a worse record than the Sixers. The cumulative win/loss totals for the teams they'll face is 142-82. A winning percentage of .634.
Quite a tall order. Make your prediction in the poll below, leave your thoughts in the comments.
I voted 4. Chicago, Golden State, New Orleans, and one unexpected win mixed in somewhere. If they come home from the road trip with a record of 14-20, they've done a fine job.
I voted 5 with wins against Chicago, Pheonix, Gold. St., N.Orleans and a surprise win. Noah being out and offensive teams are my main reasons for this record, defense wins baby.
After seeing how they looked in those last two games vs NJ and LAC (and the 2nd half of the NOH game), I have to say one win - @NOH. And that will be tough to come by because of all the jet lag and it being the last game before they finally get home and their minds may be elsewhere.
Orlando or Boston(leaning toward ORL)
Den
Phx
GW
NO
5 wins. And coming home strong. just hope we can drop Lou off while we're out there, maybe for a true back point guard. Then, we're off to the races, boys!
Games sixers are losing 90% of the time imo.
1,2,8
I think they win at Pho and NO 45% of the time. Think theywin @ GSW 40% of the time, matchup problem for this team, who does meeks guard? Dorrell wright (6'9)? Monta? Curry (unless he's still out)? and even with Noah and Rondo out I think 76rs lose to both Chi/Boston 60% of the time.
Ended up with 2.4 wins. I'll over round up and go with 3 as a guess, wouldn't surprise me, the team seems to be very well coached. 4 though is pushing it, not a chance the sixers are favorites to win a single game imo.
You're over-estimating GSW. They're a very bad team. The major disadvantage for the Sixers there is being on the back end of a back-to-back, and playing in Denver the night before.
yup, the back to back is also a factor into the 40%. Might be a bit low, but i think at the most it's 2-3%, I just think that on a b2b vs a team like GSW in the midst of a long west-coast road trip (although I do wonder if being on the west coast for so long helps vs a west team as they won't be jet lagged) that the sixers win it over 45% of the time.
Also i didn't think of this when making the 40% estimation, but the night before Iggy will have to guard Melo and Jrue will guard Chauncey, tough matchups a night before playing GSW.
Eh. Golden State doesn't like to get back and they count on teams not being able to get back against them. The Sixers drubbed them last year and they have minus defenders at four of five positions.
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I voted 4. Chicago, Golden State, New Orleans, and one unexpected win mixed in somewhere. If they come home from the road trip with a record of 14-20, they've done a fine job.
I like them winning GSW, PHO, NOH... toss ups with CHI (Noah's out, that helps) and DEN.
Going to be a tough stretch but we get to watch a lot of great teams at least.
It looks like Rondo is going to be out for that game, as well. 40 minutes of Nate Robinson running the point? That's a winnable game.
I'm gonna be bullish and say we can win 4 of those games. Golden State, Phoenix and New Orleans and one more.
Damn is that a well played use of a NSFW!
I voted 3 (CHI, PHO, NOH), with a chance for a 4th DEN/GSW/vs LAL
I voted 5 with wins against Chicago, Pheonix, Gold. St., N.Orleans and a surprise win. Noah being out and offensive teams are my main reasons for this record, defense wins baby.
I vote 0. This team is garbage. As soon as you guys move Evan Turner, you'll be fine.
I think four wins is realistic. Rondo and Noah being out is huge, so if we can win ONE of those two games, I think we can find 3 more wins.
After seeing how they looked in those last two games vs NJ and LAC (and the 2nd half of the NOH game), I have to say one win - @NOH. And that will be tough to come by because of all the jet lag and it being the last game before they finally get home and their minds may be elsewhere.
1 win......ugh
Orlando or Boston(leaning toward ORL)
Den
Phx
GW
NO
5 wins. And coming home strong. just hope we can drop Lou off while we're out there, maybe for a true back point guard. Then, we're off to the races, boys!
Games sixers are losing 90% of the time imo.
1,2,8
I think they win at Pho and NO 45% of the time. Think theywin @ GSW 40% of the time, matchup problem for this team, who does meeks guard? Dorrell wright (6'9)? Monta? Curry (unless he's still out)? and even with Noah and Rondo out I think 76rs lose to both Chi/Boston 60% of the time.
Ended up with 2.4 wins. I'll over round up and go with 3 as a guess, wouldn't surprise me, the team seems to be very well coached. 4 though is pushing it, not a chance the sixers are favorites to win a single game imo.
You're over-estimating GSW. They're a very bad team. The major disadvantage for the Sixers there is being on the back end of a back-to-back, and playing in Denver the night before.
yup, the back to back is also a factor into the 40%. Might be a bit low, but i think at the most it's 2-3%, I just think that on a b2b vs a team like GSW in the midst of a long west-coast road trip (although I do wonder if being on the west coast for so long helps vs a west team as they won't be jet lagged) that the sixers win it over 45% of the time.
Also i didn't think of this when making the 40% estimation, but the night before Iggy will have to guard Melo and Jrue will guard Chauncey, tough matchups a night before playing GSW.
I voted 3, not with any specifics wins or losses in mind. They'll win a game they shouldn't probably and lose a game they shouldn't.
As for GSW, they like to run, the sixers, like to run, GSW is better at running. Defense won't matter ;)
Eh. Golden State doesn't like to get back and they count on teams not being able to get back against them. The Sixers drubbed them last year and they have minus defenders at four of five positions.
I also say 3. But looking back at the Sixers over the last few years, when they are hot they often beat good teams.
I would not be shocked by anywhere from 1-5 wins. And that's what keeps it interesting- hopefully in a good way.
3 but also won't be surprised if the win another game or 2.