Although it was a low point in the franchise’s history, the loss against the Cavs on Wednesday was crucial in the race for top 3; in the lottery. As things stand now, the Raptors and Wizards are in a dead heat win-wise, but the Wizards own the tie-breaker, so they are 4th. What it means for tonight is that to maintain the 3rd worst record in professional basketball (it’s making me sick that I’m actually writing this), the Raptors need to lose against the Sixers since the Wizards will almost assuredly lose to the Celtics – who need to keep ahead of the Heat in the Eastern standings.
Spoke to Carey Smith from Philadunkia:
Seems like none of you guys (myself included) predicted a .500ish team and a playoff birth this season for the Sixers this season. What was the secret sauce?
While none of us here at Philadunkia predicted a .500 or better season for the Sixers in 2010-11, two of us came damn close to getting it right. I predicted 40 wins for the Sixers this year and my colleague Michael Kaskey-Blomian forecasted 39 wins (link). Additionally, 3 of the 4 writers here at Philadunkia said we would somehow sneak into the playoffs (Not exactly Nostra Damus prophecy given the putrid play in the East, but still, it’s something).Anyways the secret sauce is called Doug Collins World Famous Marinade. It’s a miracle sauce that caused a complete attitude change here in Philly and saved a sinking franchise. But the ingredients for the marinade are very basic: 4 parts defense, 3 parts taking care of the ball, 3 parts playing like a team, 3 parts bringing 100% every night and a dash of love for each other.
The Sixers are half a game behind the Knicks for 6th (the loss on Wednesday hurt); you’re 0-2 against the Heat, and 1-3 against the Celtics. Which team gives the Sixers the best chance to pull off an upset?
Let me state for the record that the Sixers stand no chance of upsetting either Boston or Miami in the first round. Our only shot at getting past the first round was to climb into the 5th spot (we got within 2 games at one point) and force a matchup with Orlando. That obviously is not going to happen now.But I’ll answer your question this way. Before the Kendrick Perkins trade I would have said the Celtics. However, with addition of Jeff Green and Delonte West finally healthy, the Celtics looked scary good against us the other night. With Green and West, they are deeper and more athletic and can guard out on the perimeter much better. So after what I saw the other night, I do not want the C’s in the 1st round. I don’t want Miami either, but I think their bench is very weak and ours is one of the best in the NBA. It’s a dream I know, but the Heat bench could cause serious issues for them in a long series. Maybe even enough that we could pull off the upset, but again it’s a real long shot. So if I have to pick, the Heat give us the best chance at an upset.
How do you rate Doug Collins as a coach? Seems like he’s done an incredible job getting this crew to the playoffs this year, but getting no love for COY.
Whatever the highest grade your scale allows me to give him is what I think he deserves — A+; 4.0, 100% – you pick one. He has done an absolute amazing job here in Philadelphia and has led as basketball revival in Philadunkia nation. I really can’t say enough glowing things about what he has done this season. My only criticism is that Collins still insists on putting the ball in Iguodala’s hands at clutch moments and anyone who has watched the Sixers in the last 5 years will tell you that’s a mistake. ‘Dre has betrayed Collins’ faith in him on numerous nights and Collins still keeps going back to him for some reason.Despite that flaw, I don’t understand how he is not the lead candidate for COY. Yeah I hear everyone on the Popovich front. Hollins has done a great job in Memphis as well. Thibodeau has been very solid in Chicago too. Still, none of them have completely changed the basketball culture of their franchise while also racking up 13 more wins (at least) then the previous season and done it all of that without the help of a bona-fide NBA star in their lineup. What Collins has done this year is simply amazing.
Thaddeus Young has been amazing over the last 10 games, if you forget the Boston/Sacramento games, he’s been an absolute pleasure to watch. With his contract coming up, what will his next one look like?
I don’t know what the exact numbers on Thad’s next contract will look like, but I sure would like to be his agent. Young Smoove is about to get P-A-I-D…paid. He also gets my vote for team MVP this year.Sixers by 5 tonight? What say you?
Lay the 5 points and bet the mortgage on the Sixers. Put aside these “key” betting facts for a minute
- The Raptors have lost 8 of their last 9 overall as well as 6 straight on the road.
- The Raptors are 4-12 against the spread (ATS) in their last 16 road games.
- The Raps have nothing to play for in the last week of the season.
- The Sixers are 25-12 at home this season and 9-3 in their last 12 at the WFC.
- The Sixers are 13-5 ATS in their last 18 home games.
- The Sixers haven’t lost back-to-back home games since October 27th and 29th when a ‘still finding themselves’ Sixers squad lost consecutive home games to Miami and Atlanta.
Again, forget all of those stats and simply realize that the Sixers will win going away tonight because they’re more talented, play better defense and perhaps most importantly, they’ll be playing angry. The Sixers went ice cold in the 3rd Q the other night, fell behind by 19 and still almost beat the “suddenly hot” Knicks. Everyone on the team was furious with the result and the current 3 game losing streak it produced — their first since the end of November. So the only way to shake the Knicks L out of their minds, get back on track and reclaim the 6th spot in the East is to hand out an ass whoopin to the next opponent. Sorry Toronto.
The injury list is too complicated to get right; so lets just say there are a few people out, a few people who could be out, and a a couple who should be out but are getting played for one reason or another.
Quick hits:
- Jerryd Bayless is playing some nice ball, I hope he’s turned the corner, and it’s just not a matter of there being no pressure anymore so he’s loose and grooving. Would be nice to see him hit the gym hard this summer and try to improve some before next season.
- Had an epiphany about Bargnani: it’s just a matter of price. Boils down to two questions: 1) what price is the franchise willing to pay to have him on this team, and bring in the right players to take advantage of his skills while minimizing his faults? 2) what price will other GM’s willing to pay to trade for him (and don’t get it twisted, even at $10m/year, he’s a good value for a young stretch big man in the right system). You can bet that when the ownership situation gets (if?) sorted out, these questions will be asked.
- Time to shut down Jose and Amir. Why risk injury to either with absolutely nothing on the line.
- Everyone knows the last couple months have been meaningless, but to have the players say it out loud is a bit of a slap in the face; Stern will be pissed about that one.
The Sixers are 12.5 point favourites with an over/under of 204.5. The death rattle has begun early.
