Saturday, March 15, 2008
SIXERS NEWS
Coming off two straight dramatic road victories, the Sixers returned home tonight for a shot at the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs. Conventional wisdom would say, that despite their hot streak, the Sixers had no chance against the champs. Conventional wisdom would also be dead wrong, thanks to a big night by Andre Miller. Offensively, four Sixers scored in double figures(Andre Iguodala, Andre Miller, Samuel Dalembert, Louis Williams) with Miller's 32 leading the way. Defensively, Sammy D led the way with 10 rebounds and 2 blocks, including a key block of a Tim Duncan shot late in the game, as the Sixers out rebounded San Antonio 38-36, and forced them into 10 turnovers, while committing only 4 turnovers themselves, so basically, they out spurred the Spurs. In the first quarter of play, the Sixers jumped out a quick 5 point lead, with the score 28-23. In the second quarter of play, the Sixers only increased their lead to 8, with the score 53-45 at the half. The third quarter of play also went the way of the Sixers as they extended to a 10 point lead, with the score 83-73. In the 4th quarter of play, the Spurs finally made some in roads and nearly pulled a comeback, but the sweet shooting of Miller and Iggy kept the Sixers ahead and smiling all the way to a confident 7 point win, with the final score 103-96. So the Sixers improve to 33-34 overall, but remain 3rd in the Atlantic division, and 7th in the Eastern conference, still 1 game behind the Washington Wizards for 6th.
FLYERS NEWS
The hits just keep on coming for the Flyers. Tonight, despite all of the struggling they have endured lately they actually had a chance to move into 7th in Eastern conference, with a win in Boston over the Bruins. Marty Biron got the start in goal again, and had a dazzling night with 33 saves. So for a while it looked like the Flyer's might just get the win they needed, but it was not to be. Late in the first period of play Chuck Kobasew scored for a 1-0 Bruin's lead. Late in the second period of play Danny Briere and Mike Richards each scored goals within a few minutes of each other to push the Flyers ahead 2-1. For a while it looked that might just stand up for a Flyer's victory, but with just under 30 seconds to play Andrew Ference scored to knot it up at 2 and force the game into overtime. Then just over 2 minutes into the overtime period Aaron Ward broke the Flyer's heart's yet again, scoring for a 3-2 Boston victory. So the Flyer's drop to 35-27-10 overall, but remain 4th in the Atlantic division, and 8th in the Eastern conference, but now by only 1 point over the Buffalo Sabres. Clearly the Flyers will have to win their next game, or they'll be on the outside looking in, in a hurry.
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued spring training today. Carlos Gomez went 3 for 4 with a homerun, as the Minnesota Twins pounded the Phils 11-2. However, for once it had nothing with the starting pitching, as Adam Eaton tossed 3 scoreless innings. So at least the phils got someone positive out of this game.
Friday, March 14, 2008
SIXERS NEWS
After a thrilling victory over the Detroit Pistons in their last game, the Sixers traveled to Chicago tonight for an important match up with the Bulls, one of the many teams now chasing them in the standings. Early on it appeared the Sixers were going to suffer an emotional let down, following the big win over the Pistons, but after a dramatic comeback keyed by the two unlikeliest of stars, they pulled out yet another close one. Offensively, six Sixers scored in double figures(Andre Iguodala, Andre Miller, Reggie Evans, Samuel Dalembert, Rodney Carney, Louis Williams) with Iggy's 25 leading the way. Defensively, it was a total team effort and not a particularly good one until late in the second half, when they finally clamped down, and made their comeback, allowing for some misleading numbers at the end, like 43 rebounds and 7 steals. Anyway, in the first quarter of play, the Bulls jumped out to an early, but clung to only a one point lead, with the score 26-25 heading into the 2nd. In the 2nd quarter of play, Chicago got hot, and shred the Sixers defense to take a 15 point lead, with the score 58-43 at the half. In the 3rd quarter of play, the Sixers kept hustling and fighting, and trying to cut into the Chicago lead, but the Bulls just seemed to have too much, as they took a 16 point lead into the 4th quarter, with score 86-70. In the 4th quarter of play, the fighting and clawing, and hustle finally payed off for the Sixers, as Mo Cheeks did a funny thing, inserting his young players, as well as wily veteran Kevin Ollie, who pulled down two key rebounds, to fuel a comeback. It worked, as Rodney Carney drilled three, threes, and Louis Williams, playing nearly the entire 4th quarter at point guard, hit just about every shot he took. With just under 2 minutes to play, Rodney Carney's third three gave the Sixers their first lead since the beginning of the game, with the score 103-102. Louis Williams hit a layup and a floater, to twice push the lead to 3 and finally after Larry Hughes was called for a charge, with Chicago down 107-106 and 19 seconds to play, Iggy sunk two free throws, to sink the Bulls. Ben Gordon then missed a desperate jumper, and Sammy pulled down the rebound, and hit one of two free throws, to cap another thrilling 110-106 Sixers victory. So the Sixers improve to 32-34 overall, and remain 3rd in the Atlantic division and 7th in the Eastern conference, still a game behind Washington for 6th.
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued spring training yesterday and today. Yesterday Cincinnati's Jeremy Affeldt allowed 7 runs in 3 and 1/3rd innings of work. Rookie scrub Casey Smith knocked in 4 runs as the 9th hitter the Phils lineup, and another rookie scrub, Greg Golson, the Phils first round pick a couple years back, drove in two more runs ,as the 8th hitter in Phils lineup, to lead the fightins to 10-7 victory. Today, Francisco Rosario got the start for the Phils and got roughed up, allowing 6 runs and 3 hits in just 2 innings of work, including a grand slam by Yunel Escobar, as the Phils fell to the Atlanta Braves 9-1.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
SIXERS NEWS
After a tough loss the Easterb conference leading Celitcs in their last game, that a snapped a 4 game winning streak, the Sixers looked to rebound tonight against the team that is 2nd in the Eastern conference, the Detroit Pistons, at the Palace at Auburn Hills. Over the years the Palace has been a real house of horrors for the Sixers, and for just about everyone thus far this season, as coming in the Pistons had only lost 5 games at home all season long. So on paper, the chances of Sixers rebounding tonight didn't look so good. However, the young Sixers were determined to prove they belong at the top of the East, and ignored the stats, to steal victory in a thriller. On the night five Sixers scored in double figures(Andre Iguodala, Andre Miller, Reggie Evans, Thaddeus Young, Rodney Carney) With Iggy's 22 leading the way. Defensively, Samuel Dalembert with 15 rebounds and 3 blocks, and Evans with 11 rebounds and a block led the way as the Sixers out rebounded Detroit 39-32, but were otherwise mano a mano with the Pistons in this test of wills. In the first quarter of play, the Sixers jumped out to an early 8 point lead, with the score 26-18. In the second quarter of play the Pistons chipped into the lead a bit and by the half it was only 6, with the score 48-42. In the 3rd quarter of play, the Pistons pulled ahead for seemingly the first time all night, and clung to a 67-66 lead heading into the 4th quarter. There the two teams bounced back and forth until with under 30 seconds to go the Sixers got the ball up one, 83-82, following two made free throws by Chauncey Billups. Expectedly they gave the ball to Iggy, and he let the clock run down to about 7 seconds, before missing a tough, well defended jumper. So that gave the Pistons one last chance to get the win, but Mr. Big shot, Chauncey Billups, was defended equally well and came up short on his game winning jumper, to cap a huge 83-82 win for the Sixers. So the Sixers improve to 31-34 overall, but remain 3rd in the Atlantic division, and 7th in Eastern conference, still a game behind the Wizards for 6th.
FLYERS NEWS
In the second game of their home and home with the Toronto Maple Leafs, this one at home in Wachovia center, the Orange and Black only experienced more heartbreak. After his 51 saves last night Marty Biron got the start in goal again and produced 28 more dazzling saves but it was to no avail. In the first period of play Toronto got off to a quick start, as just less than 4 minutes in Ian White scored for a 1-0 Leafs lead. A few minutes later Jeff Carter scored to knot it up at 1 for the Flyers. Then late in the period Alexei Ponikarovsky scored for a 2-1 Leaf's lead. Late in the 2nd period of play Mike Knuble scored on the power play to tie it up again at 2. Finally, early in the 3rd period of Pavel Kubina broke the Flyer's hearts yet again scoring on the power play for a 3-2 Leaf's lead. From there the Flyer's had their chances, but try as they might they couldn't get the equalizer and finally succumbed to Toronto 3-2. So the Flyers drop to 35-27-9 overall, but remain 4th in the Atlantic division and 8th in the Eastern conference, still 4 points ahead of the Buffalo Sabres. Still, they can't expect to hold onto that spot and make the playoffs if they keep losing like this, sooner or later they are going to have to put some wins together.
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued spring training today against the Cincinnati Reds. Bronson Arroyo pitched 4 solid innings and the Reds crushed three homers as the Phils fell yet again 6-1. Let's just hope they are just working out all of the kinks in the offense now, so that when the season starts in 19 days they'll be firing on all cylinders.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyers had been making a serious playoff push coming into tonight's game, the first of a home and home, but they were stopped in their tracks by the Maple Leafs in Toronto. Marty Biron got the start in goal and racked up 51 saves, but it was not enough. In the first period of play things looked good for the Orange and Black as they jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a goal by Scottie Upshall. late in the 2nd period of play Braydon Coburn extended that lead to 2-0 with a power play goal. Early in the 3rd period of play, Danny Briere scored to make it 3-0 Flyers and it seemed a give in that the Flyers would get yet another important win. Someone forgot to tell that to Toronto. A few minutes later, Mats Sundin scored on the power play to cut the lead to 3-1. Then late in the period Pavel Kubina and Jeremy Williams each scored within a few minutes of each other and suddenly with just under 4 minutes to play in the game it was all knotted up at 3. From there neither team was able to score before the end of regulation, and the game lumbered into overtime. There, just 4 minutes in, Pavel Kubina slapped in a rebound and broke the Flyer's hearts to cap off a most improbable 4-3 Maple Leafs victory. So the Flyers drop to 35-26-9 overall, but remain 4th in the Atlantic division and 8th in the Eastern conference.
Monday, March 10, 2008
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers had won 4 in a row coming into tonight's showdown with the Eastern conference and Atlantic division leading Boston Celtics. Unfortunately, thanks to Boston's smothering lock down defense in the second half, the streak came to a close tonight, but not before the Sixerss found out how they really match up to the Eastern conference's elite. Although they are young, up and coming and on a roll right now, they are still growing as a team aren't quite ready to legitimately challenge teams like Boston just yet, but give them a couple years when Boston has aged out of contention and they'll be right up there. Despite the loss the Sixers still managed to produce five scorers in double figures(Andre Iguodala, Andre Miller, Louis Williams, Thaddeus Young, Jason Smith) with Miller's 22 leading the way. Defensively, Samuel Dalembert led the way with 10 rebounds and 2 blocks, and Reggie Evans chipped in with 11 rebounds, as the Sixers actually edged the Celtics in rebounding 51-50, but it was to no avail. The Sixers shot only 31% from the field and were constantly frustrated by the smothering Celtics, while Boston shot nearly 50% from the field and constantly scored easily as the game wore on. In the first quarter of play Boston jumped out a big early lead, but the Sixers fought back and tied it at one point before Boston pushed out a 6 point lead with the score 26-20. In the 2nd quarter of play, Boston merely maintained their lead with the score 53-47 at the half. Finally in the 3rd quarter of play Boston began to wear down the young Sixers and pulled away to a 14 point lead, with the score 76-62 heading into the 4th quarter. There Boston did just enough to maintain their lead yet again and walked away winners by only 14, with the final score 100-86. So actually the Sixers acquitted themselves quite nicely considering where they are right now as a team. So the Sixers drop to 30-34 overall, but remain 7th in the Eastern conference and 3rd in the Atlantic division.
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued spring training today against the Pirates. Ian Snell got the start for the Buckos and tossed for 4 solid innings. Meanwhile J.D Durbin got the start for the Phils and got roughed up allowing 5 runs on 8 hits in 3 and 1/3rd innings of work as the Phils fell 8-5. Still, it's only spring training and there is no reason to think the Phils will continue playing like this when the season starts in April.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers stayed hot today as they traveled to Milwaukee for a sunday afternoon matinee against the Bucks. Just as in their last game against the Supersonics the Sixers kept running and gunning to perfection and spread the ball around. All told, seven Sixers scored in double figures(Andre Iguodala, Andre Miller, Willie Green, Samuel Dalembert, Thaddeus Young, Louis Williams, Reggie Evans) with Young's 22 leading the way. Defensively, Slammin Sammy lead the way again with 10 rebounds, as the Sixers out rebounded Milwaukee 38-31, and held them to 48% shooting from the field. Meanwhile, the Sixers shot a stellar 60% from the field and had the Bucks grasping at air all day long. In the first quarter of play, the Sixers jumped out to an 11 point lead, with the score 33-22. In the 2nd quarter of play, the Sixers kept racing and jumped out to a 22 point lead, with the score 65-43 at the half. In the 3rd quarter of play, the Bucks chipped into the Sixers lead a bit, cutting it down to 14, with the score 88-74 heading into the 4th. There the Sixers held firm and eventually pulled away to win easily by 22, with the final score 119-97. So the Sixers improve to 30-33 overall, but remain 3rd in the Atlantic division and 7th in the Eastern conference, now just .5 games behind the Washington Wizards for 6th in the conference.
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued spring training today against the Blue Jays. While Ryan Howard hit his second homer of the spring, Kyle Kendrick got the start and got roughed up allowing 6 runs on 7 hits in just 2 innings, As Vernon Wells knocked in 4 runs and Aaron Hill slapped a 2 run double. Meanwhile Jesse Litsch pitched 4 solid innings as the Jays won 9-4.
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