SIXERS NEWS

After a dismal 4th quarter in Washington on Saturday, the Sixers returned home tonight for a crucial match up with the Cleveland Cavaliers, a game they needed to win, to at least entertain any hope of finishing as the 6th seed in the East. Early on things didn't look good as the Cavs front ran most of night but a furious late rally nearly saved the Sixers before controversy intervened in the Cavs favor. Offensively, five Sixers scored in double figures(Andre Iguodala, Andre Miller, Willie Green, Louis Williams, Thaddeus Young) with Miller's 26 leading the way. Defensively, it was Sammy D leading the way, with 10 rebounds and and a block, but ultimately it was not until late in the game that the D came to life to fuel a Sixer's comeback. In the first quarter of play the Sixers actually clung to a 3 point lead,with the score 22-19. The King and the Cavs took over in the 2nd quarter sprinting out to a 6 point lead with the score 47-41 at the half. It was more of the same in the 3rd quarter of play as they extended their lead to 8 with the score 67-59 heading into the 4th. There the Cavs actually led by as many as 11 at one point before the Sixers went on a furious comeback to retake the lead, not once, not twice, but three times before a jumper by sweet Lou seemed to cement a glorious 90-89 Sixer's victory with 5 seconds to play. The Cavs had one last chance though and gave the ball to the King. He drove into lane, but Sammy D blocked his shot, and the follow by Devin Brown, was no good and the Sixers had won 90-89! Well not quite. Apparently before time expired a foul was called on Sammy D as Brown rose up for the final shot and replays, much to the chagrin of incredulous Sixer's fans, did indeed show officials calling a foul before time expired and a faint whistle could be heard sounding. So Brown went to the line, and coolly sunk two free throws and the Sixers 91-90. So the Sixers drop to 40-41 overall and with the loss they will indeed be the 7th seed in the East and will face the Detroit Pistons in the 1st round. A tough task indeed.