SIXERS NEWS

The Sixers finally played a home game tonight, as they welcomed the Washington Wizards to the Wachovia center tonight. The Sixers actually came in having won 3 of their last 5 and looking for their 2 win in a row. The Wizards on the other hand came in having lost 4 in a row, so you would think the Sixers would have a pretty good chance of winning this one. In fact, they got off to a blazing start in the 1st half, jumping out to an 18 point lead at one point, before settling for a 14 point lead at the half. Seemingly rolling to victory, everything came to a screeching halt for the Sixers in the 2nd half. Washington suddenly heated up from beyond the arc, as Nick Young, Antawn Jamison, and Gilbert Arenas all just couldn't miss for a while. The Sixers on the other hand, totally cooled off from the field and starting making mistakes and turning the ball over. All told Washington outscored the Sixers 60-39 in the 2nd half and when the dust had settled the Sixers had not only blown their 14 point lead, they had lost embarrassingly by 7 while putting up little resistance down the stretch. Overall Washington shot 51% from the field, mostly thanks to their 65% shooting in the 2nd half, while the Sixers shot 48% from the field, but only 35% in the 2nd half. The Sixers also turned the ball over, more than 10 times in the 2nd half, almost in the 4th quarter when it mattered most. So ultimately, they totally blew what should have been an easy in just about every way imaginable, effectively wasting an outstanding effort by Sammy Dalembert, who posted 20 points and 20 rebounds(of course he was also the only pure center on the floor all night long, with Brendan Haywood out with an injury) , and solid efforts by Andre Iguodala with 20 and 8 assists, and Lou Williams with 19. While the Wizards, really aren't as bad their records indicates, frankly they just don't try enough most nights, there's no really no excuse for the Sixers in this one. When you get a team down like that at the half you have to put them away and the Sixers simply did not tonight. Better luck next time I guess.