[Coatesvillain]

February 16th, 2005 - 7:00 PM (EST)

Philadelphia 76ers (26-27) Vs New York Knicks (21-33)

@Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Aired on: and

Projected Starting Lineups:


]

Season Series: Knicks lead series 2-1.

Storyline: NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia 76ers made the big splash before the trade deadline, acquiring five-time All-Star forward Chris Webber from the Sacramento Kings.

The combination of superstar guard Allen Iverson and Webber probably makes the Sixers a legitimate contender for the NBA Finals. The defending champion Detroit Pistons and the Miami Heat are regarded as the teams likely to meet in the Eastern Conference finals.

But the addition of Webber probably will result in the Sixers running away with the Atlantic Division title and perhaps rising to at least the third best team in the East.

Webber will probably not be in uniform Thursday night when the Sixers visit the New York Knicks. Philadelphia shipped forwards Kenny Thomas, Corliss Williamson and Brian Skinner to Sacramento for Webber and forwards Matt Barnes and Michael Bradley on Wednesday.

It's been quite a week for Iverson. The NBA's leading scorer at 29.8 points per game earned All-Star Game Most Valuable Player honors on Sunday. Now he learned he will get to play with Webber.

In his final game before the All-Star break, Iverson was held to 23 points on 8-of-21 shooting as the 76ers dropped a 93-75 decision to the Detroit Pistons last Wednesday, snapping a three-game winning streak.

Despite being one game below .500, Philadelphia enters Thursday's contest in a virtual tie for first place in the the Atlantic with the Boston Celtics.

The Knicks have lost nine of their last 12 games and 20 of 25 to slip into last place in the Atlantic. They lost at Detroit, 97-88 on Tuesday. Jamal Crawford scored 23 points for New York.

It will be the final matchup of the season between the division rivals, with the Knicks taking two of the first three. The Sixers won the last meeting, 106-105, on February 14 when Iverson found Marc Jackson for the go-ahead layup with one second remaining.

Philadelphia has lost four straight games at Madison Square Garden, including a 96-88 defeat on November 9.

LINK

[Coatesvillain]

Thank God for the Knicks. Here was a game I was worried we were going to lose for lack of depth, then they go and trade a good portion of their roster as well. A win puts us back in first place in the Atlantic.

For those of you who don't know the Knicks have traded Vin Baker, Jamison Brewer, Nazr Mohammed and Moochie Norris for Malik Rose, Maurice Taylor, and two first round picks.

[Coatesvillain]

Rodney Rogers is set to make his Sixers debut tonight, because the Sixers are going to need eight players active to play the game.

[ToddMacCulloch11]

Originally Posted by PhillyPhanatic

Thank God for the Knicks. Here was a game I was worried we were going to lose for lack of depth, then they go and trade a good portion of their roster as well. A win puts us back in first place in the Atlantic.

For those of you who don't know the Knicks have traded Vin Baker, Jamison Brewer, Nazr Mohammed and Moochie Norris for Malik Rose, Maurice Taylor, and two first round picks.

yeah...it would have been rough, but they are missing some depth too, so that should make it somewhat easier to handle with so few players.

[Coatesvillain]

It's snowing so bad, I couldn't go into work so I actually get to watch this game.

Funny thing they just showed, Rodney Rodgers is on the bench for the Sixers.

[Coatesvillain]

This game is going to be extremely high scoring, both teams are pushing the ball which is weird since both teams have damn near empty benches. So far the Sixers defensive rotations have looked good.

One thing I'm liking is how every now and then they have Andre Iguodala bringing the ball up the floor, they've been doing it more frequently as the season progressed, I like the different look it gives the team. Especially allowing Iverson to work off some screens every now and then in the half court.

[mellow-dramatik]

igoudala reminds me of lebron, he's got mad athletic ability and he's a great passer, he's handles are good 2...........he could be really good

[Coatesvillain]

Rodney Rogers!

[Coatesvillain]

Wow, Andre Iguodala with one of the best plays I've seen all season. Drove down the lane looked like he was going for a dunk, Jerome Williams challenged the shot and Dre-I hit Samuel Dalembert with a behind the back pass for a dunk.

[Lynx]

Go Dalembert

6-8, 12 Pts, 9 Rebs, 2 Assists

[Coatesvillain]

58-55 the 76ers lead at the half.

I hope Penny keeps shooting, he'll make winning this game easier for the 76ers.

[Coatesvillain]

Great. The Knicks are making a run. The Sixers halfcourt offense is looking pathetic out there, a huge reason is the attention that the Knicks are paying to Dalembert. Because of that attention, we aren't getting any offensive rebounds.

I have to say, while Billy King did a great job making these trades.. in this game we really miss Willie Green, because he would have success offensively against Jamal Crawford. Iguodala and McKie are too passive on the offensive end to be effective in this game.

[walkon4]

Originally Posted by PhillyPhanatic

Great. The Knicks are making a run. The Sixers halfcourt offense is looking pathetic out there, a huge reason is the attention that the Knicks are paying to Dalembert. Because of that attention, we aren't getting any offensive rebounds.

I have to say, while Billy King did a great job making these trades.. in this game we really miss Willie Green, because he would have success offensively against Jamal Crawford. Iguodala and McKie are too passive on the offensive end to be effective in this game.

I'll tell you what man, we just cant rebound. I have seen numerous plays in which the ball is gettable, but we just cant come out with it. Man, I hope Chris helps us on the glass. I know he is averaging 10/game, but boy I hope he keeps that up. Thats where we need him just as much as low post scoring.