Call it luck, call it karma, call it whatever you like. If the reports are true, the Sixers are catching a huge break tonight. Danny Granger, Troy Murphy and Marquis Daniels won't make the flight to Philly.
Apparently, the flu has been making the rounds in the Pacer locker room. If Granger, Murphy and Daniels are out, Indiana will be without its leading scorer and leading rebounder.
The Pacers have played an odd season to this point. Their 9-17 record has them at the bottom of the Central division, but they have some high quality wins. They beat Boston, the Lakers and Houston in Houston.
When Philly traveled to Indy earlier this year, the Sixers
mounted a monumental comeback in the second half, outscoring the Pacers 55-35 after the break. I'm sure you remember the game. At the time, I truly thought it was going to be the game that turned the season around. Let's hope they don't dig themselves such a big hole this time.
Two things you need to worry yourself about concerning this game. Number one is rebounding. Last night against the Clippers, the Pacers pulled down 55 rebounds, 13 offensive. They started Jeff Foster and Roy Hibbert in the front court. That's a lot of size for Philly to match up with. If DiLeo goes with the same starting lineup, Thad is going to have to work his ass off to keep those guys off the offensive glass.
The second, as always with Jim O'Brien teams, is the three ball. They were cold as ice from downtown against the Clippers, but you know O'Brien won't be shy about letting them heave threes.
It worries me when everything lines up in the Sixers favor. The Pacers not only played last night, but lost a tough game in overtime. Their starting backcourt (Brandon Rush and Jarret Jack) combined to play 102 minutes. It should be a no-brainer to pressure them non-stop and make them work to get the ball into the front court. The Pacers turned the ball over 23 times in that game, so the pressure D is definitely called for.
As usual, leave your thoughts in the comments during the game. Tip is at 7:30pm.
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Arin It Out for all your Pacers info.
Ford is coming back from injury... he may start tonight. He came off the bench last night due to his injury.
I saw that. He came off the bench and played 39 minutes, so I assume he's ready to start tonight.
Looks like Sixers are gonna be sticking with Thad as the starter at the 4 for awhile. Foster is quite a load. Good luck there Thaddeus.
Jeff Foster?
You fear Jeff freaking foster? Jeff Foster isn't a load of anything but a back up forced to startr
There aren't 10 guys in the league you can name that are harder to keep off the offensive boards than Jeff Foster. He already has 3 tonight and we aren't at half time. Unlike Evans, he can finish a bit too when he is within 6 feet. So, as I said, good luck.
Perhaps I should have explicitly said "good luck on the boards." I guess it wasn't implied from the first sentence.
Foster out-played Thad in every facet of the game tonight.
Brian, do you know where I could catch the game online? Unfortunately not at home with the Pass.
If this ever happens, check justin.tv
I realize this team isn't good right now, but... perfect quarter thusfar?
Even that first set of subs seems perfect.
Every game under DiLeo has been a scrap fest, but I think it's good trying to win close games, even if it's against teams that we should be able to defeat.
I haven't been able to watch this one but according to the box score Miller is closing in on a triple-double and we have been owning the glass which is remarkable. What's keeping them in the game is the 3-point shooting.
Yeah - it's great winning close games - you know what's better - maintaining a big league built early against a short handed tired team.
Win or lose - this is a cheeks special - strong first quarter but unable to hold a lead - against a really bad team missing many of their best players after a 2 OT game last night - and only nine available player.
At this point the sixers are down 2 with 90 seconds to play and really don't deserve to win...it's sad to lose a game like this
WHeres willie?
Sprained ankle.
Kind of game that makes me want to hurl objects at the TV screen.
This is the kind of game that makes me glad I had to watch it a couple of hours later and I was able to fast forward through the commercials. Didn't waste the full 2 and a half hours of my life on it.
Give the Pacers credit, especially T.J. Ford. He hit every big shot they needed. Really thought it was a win after the Lou dunk.
Very satisfying win for me tonight! I think it makes up for allowing that 26 point comeback earlier in the season
You should be proud of those guys.
Definitely. It says a lot for the fight that they have. If the real Pacer fans aren't proud of what they have accomplished the last two nights without 4 of the top 5 players on this roster, then they should probably go watch Cricket instead.
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