STORYLINE: Both teams come into Sunday's contest coming off of double digit comebacks on Friday, the Sixers stormed back from the three point sharp shooting of Kyle Korver and a big game ending shot that ended the Indiana Pacers hopes of leaving Philadelphia with a win in OT. The Orlando Magic survived the one-man wrecking crew known as Kobe Bryant to put up a 122-113 victory in regulation. The Orlando Magic present many of the same problems the Phoenix Suns gave the Philadelphia 76ers including (but not exclusive to) advantage in athleticism, and size, also like the Suns the Magic like to run, which is going to present troubles to a 76ers team that has trouble getting out of the gates.
In an early start, it's imperative for the Sixers to not have early defensive lapses and giving easy open looks from the perimeter, where players have found a lifetime to stand open as the Sixers players still struggle to gather an understanding of Jim O'Brien's "five as one" defensive scheme. A war for the Sixers in this game will be on the boards, the Orlando Magic average the most rebounds per game in the NBA at 49.3 per while the 76ers average a mere 41.8, the Sixers could have aide coming as Samuel Dalembert is probable to return from the hamstring injury he suffered against the Suns over a week ago. When the 76ers have the ball, they have to attack Steve Francis and get him into early foul trouble in hopes to derail the Magic early. The Sixers must take advantage of easy baskets.
With both teams giving up around 100 points a game, expect this to be an exciting game where both teams go over (or come close to going over) the century mark, and if that's enough for you, remember that this is Orlando Magic rookie Jameer Nelson's first NBA game in his adopted hometown, and there's going to be a lot of fans in attendance cheering for him.
KEY MATCHUP: VS
INJURIES:
Magic - Andrew DeClercq (knee), Brandon Hunter (achilles), Cuttino Mobley (groin), Kelvin Cato (ankle), Mario Kasun (knee).
STAT LEADERS:
Points: Francis (Magic) 20.8; Iverson (76ers) 26.
Rebounds: Howard (Magic) 11.3; Dalembert (76ers) 8.5.
Assists: Francis (Magic) 6; Iverson (76ers) 7.5.
Blocks: Cato (Magic) 3.3; Iguodala (76ers) .8.
Three Pointers: Hill (Magic) 67%; Davis (76ers) 67%.
Personal Fouls: Francis (Magic) 4.2; Salmons (76ers) 5.
__________________ Who cares about a championship drought?:
My teams will never win a championship anyway, so why don't you discuss everything else at my forum? Good idea, right? Yeah, I thought so. It's called.. Booing Santa Claus. See you there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry Rollins
“The average is the borderline that keeps mere men in their place. Those who step over the line are heroes by the very act. Go.”
Last edited by PhillyPhanatic : 11-14-2004 at 09:59 AM.
The 76ers were concerned enough about the condition of Allen Iverson's left Achilles tendon to have an MRI done on it yesterday. The results were negative, according to a team official, who added that it showed that Iverson has ankle tendinitis.
The five-time all-star is listed as probable for today's 2 p.m. game against the Orlando Magic at the Wachovia Center. He attended practice yesterday at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine but didn't work out. He was walking gingerly.
Iverson told reporters on Friday that he had begun experiencing pain in the ankle during the second quarter of the Sixers' 106-104 overtime victory over Indiana that night. The game had ended with Iverson hitting the winning shot. The win was the second straight in overtime for the Sixers (3-3).
Iverson is averaging 42.8 minutes, 26 points, 7.5 assists and 5.0 turnovers per game.
__________________ Who cares about a championship drought?:
My teams will never win a championship anyway, so why don't you discuss everything else at my forum? Good idea, right? Yeah, I thought so. It's called.. Booing Santa Claus. See you there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry Rollins
“The average is the borderline that keeps mere men in their place. Those who step over the line are heroes by the very act. Go.”
Nelson, a Chester native, is anxiously anticipating his first game in Philadelphia as a professional this afternoon when the Orlando Magic face the Sixers at the Wachovia Center.
“It’s going to be special,” Nelson told reporters last week.
Nelson is the backup to starting point guard Steve Francis for the 4-2 Magic. He is averaging 3.8 points, 2.5 assists, 11.2 minutes and shooting 33.3 percent in his rookie season.
“I just want to get better and learn,” Nelson said. “I think [my teammates] see me getting better every day. I’m not star-struck. I play against an all-star [Francis] every day in practice. He’s one of the best guards in the NBA. Going against him every day is obviously going to make me better.”
Nelson might have made it to the NBA, but he still has what he calls “a chip on my shoulder” that has served him so well.
Only 5-11, Nelson wasn’t highly recruited despite a standout career at Chester High. He wound up at Saint Joseph’s, where he proved to be an elite player.
He led Saint Joseph’s to a No.1 national ranking, an unbeaten regular season and the Elite Eight last season. The Sixers will honor Phil Martelli and the Hawks for their 30-2 campaign during today’s game.
Nelson earned the Naismith and Wooden awards, in addition to being named Sporting News Player of the Year. He averaged 20.6 points, 5.3 assists and 4.7 rebounds.
Nelson played all four years in college, a rarity for first-round picks. He had to wait longer than expected to be drafted, but the Nuggets finally made him the 20th pick, only to trade him to the Magic for a future first-rounder.
__________________ Who cares about a championship drought?:
My teams will never win a championship anyway, so why don't you discuss everything else at my forum? Good idea, right? Yeah, I thought so. It's called.. Booing Santa Claus. See you there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry Rollins
“The average is the borderline that keeps mere men in their place. Those who step over the line are heroes by the very act. Go.”
After seeing how bad the first halves of the NFL games are shaping up, I've decided to watch this game live.
Here's hoping Dalembert is playing.
__________________ Who cares about a championship drought?:
My teams will never win a championship anyway, so why don't you discuss everything else at my forum? Good idea, right? Yeah, I thought so. It's called.. Booing Santa Claus. See you there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry Rollins
“The average is the borderline that keeps mere men in their place. Those who step over the line are heroes by the very act. Go.”
Magic -
PG: Steve Francis, SG: DeShawn Stevenson, SF: Grant Hill, PF: Dwight Howard, C: Tony Battie.
76ers -
PG: Allen Iverson, SG: Willie Green, SF: Andre Iguodala, PF: Kenny Thomas, C: Marc Jackson.
__________________ Who cares about a championship drought?:
My teams will never win a championship anyway, so why don't you discuss everything else at my forum? Good idea, right? Yeah, I thought so. It's called.. Booing Santa Claus. See you there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry Rollins
“The average is the borderline that keeps mere men in their place. Those who step over the line are heroes by the very act. Go.”
Kenny Thomas gets an open 18 footer and drains it. 76ers lead 6-2.
So far the Magic are controlling their offensive glass, but it hasn't really effected the game.
Two twenty four second shot clock violations for the Magic. Sixers defense is playing a lot better this game.
__________________ Who cares about a championship drought?:
My teams will never win a championship anyway, so why don't you discuss everything else at my forum? Good idea, right? Yeah, I thought so. It's called.. Booing Santa Claus. See you there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry Rollins
“The average is the borderline that keeps mere men in their place. Those who step over the line are heroes by the very act. Go.”
__________________ Who cares about a championship drought?:
My teams will never win a championship anyway, so why don't you discuss everything else at my forum? Good idea, right? Yeah, I thought so. It's called.. Booing Santa Claus. See you there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry Rollins
“The average is the borderline that keeps mere men in their place. Those who step over the line are heroes by the very act. Go.”
Tony Battie gets a free look and tips in a Steve Francis miss. 10-4 76ers.
Then the Magic rebound a Sixers miss. Right now they have a 7-3 advantage on the boards, the Sixers need to step up here.
__________________ Who cares about a championship drought?:
My teams will never win a championship anyway, so why don't you discuss everything else at my forum? Good idea, right? Yeah, I thought so. It's called.. Booing Santa Claus. See you there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry Rollins
“The average is the borderline that keeps mere men in their place. Those who step over the line are heroes by the very act. Go.”
And just like that off a Kenny Thomas miss, Grant Hill takes the ball up the court and nails a layup. The 76ers lead is down to 10-8.
__________________ Who cares about a championship drought?:
My teams will never win a championship anyway, so why don't you discuss everything else at my forum? Good idea, right? Yeah, I thought so. It's called.. Booing Santa Claus. See you there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry Rollins
“The average is the borderline that keeps mere men in their place. Those who step over the line are heroes by the very act. Go.”
Similar to the Phoenix game, an early lead vanished, but after an Iverson lay-up the Sixers tie the game at 12.
There's under five minutes, it's about time to put Korver and Salmons in.
__________________ Who cares about a championship drought?:
My teams will never win a championship anyway, so why don't you discuss everything else at my forum? Good idea, right? Yeah, I thought so. It's called.. Booing Santa Claus. See you there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry Rollins
“The average is the borderline that keeps mere men in their place. Those who step over the line are heroes by the very act. Go.”
Dalembert's making his third appearance of the season.
__________________ Who cares about a championship drought?:
My teams will never win a championship anyway, so why don't you discuss everything else at my forum? Good idea, right? Yeah, I thought so. It's called.. Booing Santa Claus. See you there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry Rollins
“The average is the borderline that keeps mere men in their place. Those who step over the line are heroes by the very act. Go.”
Game Thread: 76ers Vs Orlando Magic (Nov. 14)
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