Saturday, February 09, 2008
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers continued their so far successful homestand tonight, welcoming the struggling L.A Clippers to the Wachovia center. Coming into tonight the Sixers had won two in a row and were well on their way to catching the Nets for that coveted final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, okay so it's a little early to be talking playoffs, but why not. It's just ridiculous that the Sixers, who came in 10 games under .500 are still in it. Anyway, the Sixers continued right on that path toward catching the Nets tonight. Offensively, five Sixers scored in double figures(Andre Miller, Willie Green, Andre Iguodala, Samuel Dalembert, Louis Williams) with sweet Lou's 18 leading the way. Defensively, it was a team effort and a pretty good one as the Sixers out rebounded the Clips 41-30, and held them to just 40% shooting from the field. Through the first period of play, the Sixers eked out to a 4 point lead, with the score 29-25. By the half that lead had exlpoded to 19, with the score 59-40. In the 3rd quarter the Clips attempted to cut into the Sixers lead, but the Sixers still led by 16 heading into the 4th quarter, with the score 82-66. In the 4th quarter the Sixers continued to run away with it and won easily 101-80. So the Sixers improve to 21-30 overall, but remain in 4th place in the Atlantic division, still just ,5 games behind those Nets.
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyers welcomed the New York stinkin Rangers to the Wachovia center this afternoon for a matinee. Marty Biron got the start and goal and delivered a dazzling performance saving 31 of the 33 shots he faced. Unfortunately, Ranger's goalie Steve Valiquette who shutout the Flyers these two teams met was just a tick better, as he shutout the Flyers for time in a row. I don't what it is about him, but for whatever reason the Flyers just can't seem to score on Valiquette. In the first period of play, Nigel Dawes scored on the power play late in the period for a 1-0 Rangers lead. In the 2nd period, Scott Gomez scored early in the period for a 2-0 Rangers lead. Finally ,the 3rd period of play was scoreless as the Rangers closed out their 2-0 win. So another with Valiquette in a goal and another scoreless contest of wonderment for the Flyers as they drop to 30-19-5 overall and into 3rd place in the Atlantic division, just 2 points out of first.
Friday, February 08, 2008
FLYERS NEWS
There is good news and there is bad news. First the good news. Tomorrow when the Flyers faceoff against the Rangers, they will once again have the services of Joffrey Lupul. Lupul has been on injured reserve since January 5 with a spinal contusion suffered in a big collision with teammate Derian Hatcher. It's not as if the Flyers potent offense has missed him lately, but he can only aid their cause. Now the bad news. In their last game, a tough loss to the Washington Capitals, Scottie Upshall went down with a sprained ankle. So while Lupul returns to the lineup, Upshall goes on injured reserve for apparently 7 to 10 days. Still the addition of lupul, if he really is healthly, should balance the loss of Upshall, so I think the Flyers will be just fine and continue to stay hot.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
SIXERS NEWS
After a satisfying win over the Washington Wizards in their last game, the Sixers welcomed the newly deShaqified Miami Heat to the Wachovia Center. Having won only 9 games this season and without the services of one Shaquille O'neal, the Heat figured to be easy pickings for the Sixers, but to their credit they did make a game out of it early on, but yet anothe 4th quarter surge allowed the Sixers to pull away and win easily. Offensively, four Sixers scored in double figures(Andre Iguodala, Willie Green, Thaddues Young, Andre Miller) with Iggy's 25 leading the way. Defensively, Reggie Evans led the way with 14 rebounds, as the Sixers owned the boards 48-38 and held Miami to under 40% shooting from the field. In the first quarter of play, the Sixers jumped out a six point lead, with the score 30-24. In the 2nd quarter, the Heat cut into the Sixer lead, and by the half it was only a 4 point game, with the score 54-50. In the 3rd quarter Miami briefly pushed a head with 16-2 run, but then the Sixers came up with a late run of their own and went back ahead 75-72. Finally, the 4th quarter belonged to the Sixers as they outscored Miami 26-12, to win easily 101-84. So the Sixers improve to 20-30, but remain in 4th place in the Atlantic division, just .5 games behind the Nets.
EAGLES NEWS
Most pundits who follow the Eagles as much as I do, would have told you if you asked them that L.J Smith would not be returning to the Eagles next season. After today that may not be so, as the Eagles slapped the franchise tag on Smith. That means that it will be tough for anyone other than the Eagles to sign him this offseason. Although teams can still send him offers the Eagles will now have 7 weeks to match them, and even if another team were to sign Smith, that team would have to send two first round draft picks to the Eagles. Thus, Smith might just be an Eagle next season after all.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
FLYERS NEWS
The Orange and Black have been exceptionally hot lately but tonight they ran into the even hotter Washington Capitals and ubertalent Alexander Ovechkin, arguably the NHL's best player at the present moment. The Flyers continued to flip flop their goalies as Marty Biron got the start in goal tonight, but unfortunately after two solid periods he and the defense had a terrible 3rd period, helping to contribute to the Flyer's demise. The first period of play was scoreless. Early in the second period Brooks Laich put the Caps up 1-0. Mike Knuble scored yet another Flyer's power play goal to knot it at one late in the period. In the third period Washington quickly jumped out to a 4-1 lead with early goals from Matt Bradley, Viktor Kozlov and Ovechkin, and for a fleeting moment all hope seemed lost for the Flyers. Still, the Flyers have been extra resilient lately and you had to believe they could still pull it out. Thus, late in the period the Flyers came up with one final rally. With just over 6 minutes to play Sami Kapanen cut the lead to 4-2. Then with just under a minute to play Randy Jones scored on the power play to cut the lead to 4-3. The Flyers now had 54 seconds to tie it up, and they had a few good chances to do so, but they just couldn't quite get the puck in the net one more time and succumbed to the Caps 4-3. So the Flyers drop to 30-18-5 overall, but since New Jersey also lost tonight, they remain in first place in the Atlantic division by a point.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyers stayed hot tonight in Atlanta with yet another well deserved victory. Antero Niittymaki got the start in goal tonight and saved 23 of the 25 shots he faced to help push the Orange and Black to victory. In the first period of play, Mike Knuble scored early for a 1-0 Flyers lead. Midway through the second period Ilya Kovalchuk answered for the Thrashers to tie it at 1. One minute later, Mike Richards scored on the power play for a 2-1 Flyers lead. Finally late in the period, Ed Boulton tied it at 2 for the Thrashers. Last but certainly not least, Steve Downie scored late in third period to put the Flyers up for good 3-2. Not surprisingly that's how it ended with a 3-2 Flyers win. So the Flyers improve to 30-17-5 overall and retain sole possession of first place in the Atlantic division. Additionally, the Orange and Black moves up to second in the Eastern conference, just three points behind the Ottawa Senators for first. Considering they finished dead last in the conference and the NHL for that matter, last season, catching the Senators by season's end would be quite an accomplishment for the Flyers and now it is well within reach.
SIXERS NEWS
After a tough loss in Atlanta last night the Sixers returned home tonight to face the floundering Washington Wizards, losers of their last 3 games coming into tonight, and yet somehow still in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race, as they sat in 6th place. The Sixers meanwhile, continue to be on the outside looking in and needed a win tonight to keep in touch with the 8th place New Jersey Nets. Thanks to some 4th quarter determination, the Sixers were able to do just that. Offensively, five Sixers scored in double figures(Andre Miller, Thaddeus Young, Andre Iguodala, Louis Williams, Rodney Carney) with Iggy's 20 leading the way. Defensively, it was a team effort and a good one as they held Washington to just 43.8% shooting the from the field and forced them into 19 turnovers, 11 of them steals, which came especially handy in the aforementioned 4th quarter. In the first quarter of play the Wizards eeked out to a two point lead, with the score 25-23. In the second quarter, the Wizards pushed their lead to seven, with the score 56-49. In the 3rd quarter Washington continued to front run, pushing their lead to ten, with the score 83-73. In the 4th quarter Washington pushed their lead as high as twelve. Then the Sixers suddenly came to life, scoring 12 unanswered points before taking a two point lead with just over 4 minutes to play and the score 92-90. From there the Sixers continued their late rally until they had hung on to win 101-96. So the Sixers improve to 19-30 overall and remain in 4th place in the Atlantic division, just 1.5 games behind the Nets.
Monday, February 04, 2008
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers were back on the road again tonight in Atlanta against the resurgent Hawks. Early on all signs pointed to another dominating Sixer victory, as they jumped out to a 20 point lead, but from the second quarter on it slowly slipped away, until they had lost again. Oh woe is me. Offensively, four Sixers scored in double figures(Andre Iguodala, Andre Miller, Willie Green, Thaddeus Young) with Iggy's 22 leading the way. Defensively, the night belonged to Samuel Dalembert with 13 rebounds and 5 blocks as the Sixers out rebounded Atlanta 42-38. In the end though, the two teams were so evenly matched that it really didn't matter. In the first quarter of play, the Sixers jumped out to a commanding 20 point lead, and still lead by 18 heading into the second quarter, with the score 32-14. Atlanta turned things around in the second quarter, cutting the lead to 6 by the half, with the score 50-44. Thus heading into the third quarter, it was a whole new ball game and the Hawks took advantage of it and eeked out to a 2 point lead, with the score 72-70 heading into the 4th quarter. Finally in the 4th quarter, Atlanta kept it's nose out in front until with 19 seconds remaining, and the Sixers trailing 94-91, Josh Smith sunk two clutch free throws, to close out a 96-91 Hawks win, So the Sixers drop to 18-30 overall, but as usual they remain in 4th place in the Atlantic division.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
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