SIXERS NEWS

The Sixers welcomed the Charlotte Bobcats to the Wachovia center tonight, as they looked to avoid their 2nd loss in a row. Coming in Charlotte sat 7th in the Eastern conference, 7.5 games ahead of the Sixers. If the Sixers were still planning to a playoff push, this was one they needed to have. Unfortunately, they never really stood a chance. Charlotte was too strong defensively, forcing another 20 Sixer's turnovers, and holding them to just 41% shooting from the field and just 20% shooting from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Charlotte shot 50% from the field and 38% from beyond the arc, while turning the ball over just 16 times. Thus, not surprisingly, Charlotte jumped out to a big 14 point lead after a quarter of play. They then went up by 18 at the half and finally a whopping 27, heading into the 4th quarter. The Sixers finally woke up in the 4th quarter, outscoring Charlotte by 12, but it was too late, as the Bobcats still hung on to win easily by 15, 102-87. Ultimately, it was just a totally dominant Charlotte team on this night, and they deserve to get their first playoff birth later this season.

The Sixers on the other hand don't look like a team that deserves anything right now. Sure Elton Brand was solid with 11 and 9 rebounds, as well as Andre Iguodala with 13, Jrue Holiday with 13 and 8 rebounds, Lou Williams with 10, Thad Young with 12 and Rodney Carney with 14. Other than that there really wasn't much to be positive about for the Sixers on this night. I mean what else can you say about a loss like this. It just goes to show what good defensive play will for you. If Sixers could only have played defense like this during season, they might have actually had something to work this year. There is just nothing for the Sixers to work with now. Anyway with the loss the Sixers drop to 23-41 overall, which incredibly is still good enough for 10th in the East, now 8.5 games out of 8th.