Saturday, December 15, 2007
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers stayed hot tonight with a big win over Lebron and the struggling Cleveland Cavaliers, losers of 8 out of their last 9, while the Sixers have now won 5 of their last 6. Offensively, four Sixers scored in double figures(Andre Miller, Andre Iguodala, Samuel Dalembert, Kyle Korver), with the Andre's Miller and Iguodala leading the way with 20 points each. Defensively, Samuel Dalembert was once again the top contributor with 19, yes 19 rebounds and 3 blocks. This time however, he had some help in the form of Reggie Evans who pulled down 14 rebounds as well, as the Sixers out rebounded Cleveland 45-39. As for the game the Sixers actually fell behind early 26-18 after the 1st quarter. In the 2nd quarter the Sixers rallied ahead and took a 51-46 lead into the half. In 3rd quarter the Cavs forged back ahead 68-67 heading into the 4th quarter. There, the Sixers pulled back ahead with a late 8-0 run and held on to win 92-86. So the Sixers improve to 10-14 overall and move back into a tie for 3rd place in the Atlantic division.
FLYERS NEWS
While the Sixers have been streaking in the right direction, the Flyers are now streaking in the wrong direction, with this their 2nd straight loss. Despite yet another hat trick from Joffrey Lupul, the Flyers fell to the Carolina Hurricanes for the 1st time this season as the game went into a shootout and Marty Biron came up short allowing all 3 Hurricanes shooters to score, and that after having allowed five goals in regulation. As for the game it was exciting, well at least until the crushing climax. Lupul gave the Flyers the early 1-0 lead in the 1st period, but late goals in the period by Niclas Wallin and Scott Walker made it 2-1 Canes heading into the 2nd period. Matt Cullen made it 3-1 Canes early in the 2nd period, but Scott Hartnell and Lupul with his 2nd goal answered to tie it at three. Then late in the period Eric Staal made it 4-3 Canes. Daniel Briere scored early in the 3rd period to tie at 4. Scott Letowksi made it 5-4 Canes midway through the 3rd, and finally Lupul answered with his 3rd goal to tie it at 5 and send the game into overtime. The overtime period was scoreless and the game lurched into a decisive shootout. There, Daniel Briere made key mistake missing his shot on the opening round of the shootout. Allowing the Canes to go for the win in the 3rd round of the shootout(after Cullen and Jeff Hamilton were successful for the Canes in the 1st two rounds of the shootout). Accordingly Rod Brindamour, the former Flyer took the puck for the final round of the shootout and clanked a shot off the post and Biron's shoulder pad, and into the net for the win, capping off a 6-5 victory for the Canes. So the Flyers drop to 16-11-3 overall, and into a tie for 2nd place in the Atlantic division with the NY Rangers.
Friday, December 14, 2007
SIXERS NEWS
Well it was fun while it lasted, but the Sixers 4 game winning streak came to an end tonight against the Sacramento Kings. Considering the Kings came into tonight's game with a nearly identical record (8-13) to the Sixers 9-13, you would think there would have been a good chance of the Sixers extending there winning streak to 5, but it was not to be. Offensively, five Sixers scored in double figures (Andre Miller, Willie Green, Andre Iguodala, Kyle Korver, Louis Williams) with Andre Miller's 24 leading the way. Additionally, Miller contributed 8 assists, thus supplying the Sixers with the offensive ingredients for a victory, but they alone were not enough. Defensively, Samuel Dalembert was again the top contributor with 9 rebounds and 2 blocks. Unfortunately he was also apparently the only contributor, as the Sixers were out rebounded 39-31, and allowed Sacramento to shoot over 50% from the field and over 40% from beyond the arc. Generally, if you allow a team to shoot that well against you they're going to beat you. As for the game it was actually pretty close for the most part. After the 1st quarter the Sixers actually led 28-24. By halftime it was all tied up at 51. Then the Kings shifted into a higher gear in the 3rd quarter, which the Sixers could not match, as Sacramento went up by 11, 85-74. The Sixers tried to rally back in the 4th quarter, but could not and fell by 10, 109-99. So the Sixers drop to 9-14 overall and back into 4th place in the Atlantic division.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
FLYERS NEWS
Well, it's official the Flyers will never win two in a row ever again. Okay, maybe that's a little dramatic, but I mean come on. They not only defeated Pittsburgh in their last game, they dismantled them 8-2. How can you come back from such a dominating performance which such a lame ass 4-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Apparently, Simon Gagne really is that important to them. If only he would come back from his injury already. Unfortunately, although he has been skating and working out with team, it is not yet known when exactly that long awaited return will be. Anyway, as for the game it was not fun to watch. Midway through the 1st period Christopher Higgins made it 1-0 Habs on a power play goal. By about the same amount of time into the 2nd period it was 4-0 Habs, as Andrei Kostitsyn scored one goal, and Mark Streit scored twice in the space of four minutes. Mike Knuble finally got the Flyers on the board late in the 2nd with a power play goal, but as mentioned that would be all for the Orange and Black. Thus, the 3rd period was scoreless. So the Flyers drop to 16-11-2 overall and back into 3rd place in the Atlantic division.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
SIXERS NEWS
The Minnesota Timberwolves visited the Wachovia center today and were rudely welcomed by the suddenly hot Sixers who won their 4th game in a row. This time it wasn't as comfortable a win as the first three, but the Sixers pulled it out, thanks to some stellar play on both sides of the floor. Offensively, four Sixers scored in double figures (Andre Miller, Andre Iguodala, Samuel Dalembert, Willie Green) with Andre Iguodala's 25 leading the way. Defensively, it was Samuel Dalembert's night, as he pulled down 11 rebounds and blocked 9 shots, yes 9 and Sixers needed every single one of them, for a near triple double. Additionally, Iguodala pulled down 8 rebounds as well, as the Sixers out rebounded the T-Wolves 41-36. As for the game, it was a back and forth slug fest. After the 1st period the Sixers led 28-21. By the half the T-Wolves had rallied back to within 6, with the score 51-45. By the end of the 3rd quarter the T-Wolves had closed to within 5 with the score, 79-74. In the 4th quarter a 3 pointer by Antoine Walker briefly gave the T-Wolves the lead, but the Sixers clawed back ahead and with 7 seconds to play they lead 96-94 and the T-Wolves had the ball. It came down to Al Jefferson vs. Dalembert. Jefferson beat him off the dribble, but Dalembert stayed with him and blocked Jefferson's shot for his 9th and final block of the night. From there Iguodala sunk two free throws, Rashad Mccants missed a 3 pointer on the next T-wolves possession, and of course Dalembert rebounded the miss to cap off a 98-94 Sixers victory. So the Sixers improve to 9-13 overall and move into a tie for 3rd place in the Atlantic division.
PHILLIES NEWS
Bad news for the Phils today. Gold glove and All-star centerfielder Aaron Rowand will not return to the Phillies next season. Today he signed a 5 year 60 million deal with the San Francisco Giants. So rather than helping the Phils get back to the playoffs next season he'll be standing in their way. On a side note this means that Shane Victorino will be the Phils starting centerfielder next season (remember Micheal Bourn was traded away to the Astros for Brad Lidge) which means it should be an interesting season.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
FLYERS NEWS
Last season the Flyers couldn't buy a win against the Pittsburgh Penguins, this season they haven't been able to lose the Penguins and tonight it was more of the same. Thanks to a combined 6 goals and 5 assists from R.J Umberger and Joffrey Lupul(3 goals 3 assists for Lupul, 3 goals and 2 assists for Umberger) and 20 saves on 22 chances by Marty Biron the Flyers won easily. Additionally Philadelphia had twice as many shots on goal as the Pens and 3 times as many goals. That my friends is a truly dominating performance. In the first period Lupul scored twice early for a 2-0 Flyers lead, but late power play goals by Ryan Whitney and Peter Sykora tied it up at 2 heading into the 2nd period. In the 2nd period Umberger scored twice early for a 4-2 Flyers lead, and Mike Knuble added a late power play goal for a 5-2 Flyers lead. In the 3rd period it was all Flyers again with power play goals, from Umberger, Lupul, and Braydon Coburn for an 8-2 Flyers lead and that's how it ended. Interestingly it could and probably should have been more lopsided than that ,as the Flyers actually had 13 power play chances, but only 4 goals to show for them. Anyway a win is a win, and this one allows the Flyers to improve to 16-10-2 overall and into a tie for 2nd place in the Atlantic division with the NY Rangers.
Monday, December 10, 2007
SIXERS NEWS
The last time the Sixers went up against the Houston Rockets at the comfy home confines of the Wachovia center the results were downright embarrassing, in fact more embarrassing than ever before, as the Rockets defeated the Sixers by 50 points. Tonight, the Sixers gained a measure of revenge and their third straight victory, nearly returning the favor in the process. Offensively, five Sixers scored in double figures (Andre Miller, Willie Green, Reggie Evans, Andre Iguodala, Kyle Korver) with Willie Green's 20 leading the way. Also for the fourth game in a row Andre Miller reached double digits in assists with 12, and again the Sixers performed in sync with their play maker hitting on all cylinders. Thus, it seems it is finally Miller time again at the Wachovia center. Defensively, Samuel Dalembert was dominant again with 13 rebounds and 2 blocks. Still despite his best efforts the Sixers finished on the short end of the rebounding stick, 43-35, but conversely had nearly twice as many assists as the Rockets and shot for a higher percentage from the field and from beyond the arc, which was ultimately the difference. As for the game, the Sixers jumped out to an early 6 point 30-24 lead through 1 quarter. By halftime that lead was up to 14 (56-42). In the 3rd quarter the Sixers continued to dominate leading by 31 at one point, before settling for a 26 point lead (86-60) heading into the 4th quarter. There the Sixers almost gave it away, as the Rockets rallied to within 10, but they regained composure at the right moment and ran away with an easy 100-88 victory. So the Sixers improve to 8-13 overall, but remain in 4th place in the Atlantic division.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
EAGLES NEWS
Another day another close call for the Eagles, and yet another loss, this time to the hated NY Giants. Unlike last week's 28-24 shootout loss to the Seahawks, it was all about the defense today. Neither team scored more than one touchdown, even though both put up over 300 yards of offense. The Eagles defense had another standout day, sacking Eli Manning twice, forcing 2 turnovers, putting together a goal line stand on the Giants first scoring drive, and limiting Brandon Jacobs to just 70 yards rushing and 0 TDs. Unfortunately, they didn't have an answer though for Plaxico Burress, who caught 7 balls for 136 yards and 1 TD, and proved to be the difference on this day. As for the Eagles offense it was about as abysmal as the Eagles defense was good. Donovan Mcnabb was sacked 3 times and limited to just 179 passing yards, as his receivers either couldn't or wouldn't get open for him. The only bright spot for the Eagles offense, was surprise! Brian Westbrook who rushed 20 times for 116 yards and caught 5 balls for 38 yards and 1 TD. As for the game, it actually looked initially as if it would be an Eagles blowout, as they took the opening kickoff and marched down the field on a marvelous drive capped off by an 18 yard pass from Mcnabb to Westbrook for 7-0 lead just 4 minutes into the game. From there, however, the Eagles offensive dissolved into frustration and missed opportunities and never again crossed the goal line for the remainder of the game. Still, by the half NY could only manage a pair of Lawrence Tynes field goals and the Eagles still led 7-6. David Akers made it 10-6 with a 29 yard field goal early in the 3rd quarter. Late in the 3rd, with the Eagles still ahead 10-6, Westbrook procured a rare miscue and fumbled the ball away at his own 39 yard line, after taking a pass from Mcnabb out of the backfield. The Giants took advantage as Eli Manning tossed a 20 yard TD pass to Burress, for a 13-10 Giants lead. Lawrence Tynes than hit a 39 yard field goal for a 16-10 NY lead heading into the 4th quarter. Midway through the 4th quarter Akers made it 16-13 with a 39 yard field goal. Then with about 6 minutes to play NY seemed poised to put the game away as it drove deep into Eagles territory, but Brandon Jacobs fumbled at the Eagles 10 and Philadelphia recovered. They failed to score on the ensuing drive as a 4th and 6 pass from Mcnabb to Jason Avant fell incomplete, after the officials overlooked an obvious pass-interference call. Still, the defense held and the Eagles got the ball back one last time. Mcnabb hit Reggie Brown with a 13 yard pass with 12 seconds to play to the Birds in position for a 57 yard game tying Akers field goal attempt. Although it had the distance it faded to the right at the last moment and clanged off the goalpost, falling harmlessly to ground as Akers despondently sank to his knees. So the Eagles lost 16-13, to drop to 5-8 overall. While they're still mathematically alive in the wildcard playoff race, the odds say they won't be in the playoffs this year after all.
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