SIXERS NEWS

The Sixers played game 3 of their opening playoff series with the Magic tonight at the Wachovia center. With the series tied at 1 game a piece the Sixers needed the win to keep the upper hand in the series they had seized by rallying from 18 points down to win game 1. Early on it looked like they would do so easily. However, just as the Sixers had done in games 1 and 2, the Magic managed to rally from way down to get back in game, leading to a heart stopping 4th quarter. This time the Sixers secured the rebounds they let get away in game 2. They also continued to shutdown the Magic from beyond the arc, as Orlando hit just 8 of 20. That coupled with stalwart performances out of Iggy with 29 points, and Andre Miller with 24 allowed the Sixers to turn the tables in their favor in this one. Early on the Sixers got off to a great start while the Magic put up little resistance. By the half the Sixers were up by 11 with the score 60-49. They kept it going in the 3rd quarter building up an 18 point lead at one point. Then Orlando seemingly flipped the switch, picking it up on defense, and hitting some threes to pull within 3 heading into the 4th quarter with the score 80-77. All seemed lost with 6 minutes to play in the 4th quarter as Rashard Lewis drilled a 3 pointer to tie it up at 86. The Sixers remained poised though and continued to play stingy enough D to keep a nose in front until Dwight Howard sunk two free throws with 7 seconds left to tie it up again at 94. From there out of the timeout the Sixers looked to in bound the ball to Iggy for the win, but he was well covered so Thad Young, cutting towards the basket got the ball instead. He ran into Howard who knocked the ball loose, and seemed to poise to keep him from getting a shot off before time expired. Somehow Thad regrouped, got the ball back, and got under Howard to lay in the game winning basket. Lewis' desperation heave from halfcourt then harmlessly sailed off the top of backboard to cap off the 96-94 Sixers' win and set off a raucous celebration among the fans and players. So once again to everyone's surprise the Sixers lead their opening series 2-1. We'll see if they can translate this into a series win this time around.