Just one night after a momentous win over the Spurs the Sixers were ripe for a letdown tonight in Minnesota against Kevin Love and the lowly Timberwolves. Instead of letting down the Sixers showed how far they've come by easily handling Minnesota. Although the T-Wolves helped a lot by playing very poorly, the Sixers also played very well. Defensively, they held Minnesota to just 36% shooting from the field and 17% from beyond, while racking up 10 steals and forcing 15 turnovers. Meanwhile, 7 Sixers scored in double figures led by Thad Young's 18 off the bench. After Young, Jodie Meeks had 16, Andre Iguodala had 15, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds, Lou Williams had 13 and 5 assists, Elton Brand had 12 and 9 assists, Spencer Hawes had 12, and finally Jrue Holiday had 10 to round out the scoring.
Believe it or not the Sixers actually came out looking a little tired and trailed by 4 after the first quarter. After that they manned up and it was all Sixers the rest of the way. By the half they had rallied ahead by 4. By the 4th quarter they were up by 11 and in total control. The T-Wolves seemed to give up after that and when all was said and done the Sixers had rolled to a 20 point, 107-87 win. With the win they move to 26-28 overall and with a couple more wins in a row can finish at .500 before the all star break. They also move to within 1.5 games of the Knicks and 6th seed in the East.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
SIXERS NEWS
After a tough loss to the Magic, things didn't figure to get any easier tonight as the San Antonio Spurs, holders of the top record in the NBA, visited the Wells Fargo center. In the end it was anything but easy for the Spurs who were held to just 33% shooting from the field and 17% shooting from beyond, as Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker combined for just 33 points. In addition the Sixers racked up 10 steals and forced 16 Spur turnovers to cap off a spectacular defensive effort. The Sixer's offense meanwhile, came down to two guys. Spencer Hawes was surprisingly good against the taller, stronger Spurs, with 13 and 8 rebounds, and Jrue Holiday had the game of his life with a career high 27 and 5 rebounds.
It was really a tight defensive struggle throughout. Early on it was the Sixers who actually had the upper hand, taking a 5 point lead into the 2nd quarter. The 2nd quarter belonged to the Spurs as they rallied back to tie things up at the half. The struggle continued in the 3rd quarter, with the Sixers eeking back out to a 2 point lead heading into the 4th quarter. In the 4th quarter the Spurs came out strong early, running out to a 5 point lead before the Sixers fought back and tie it and eventually retake the lead in the final 3 minutes. In the final minutes it was the Sixers defense that shone brightest and after Holiday sunk four three throws down the stretch the Sixers held on for the upset, 77-71. Yes Virginia, this team is for real.
It was really a tight defensive struggle throughout. Early on it was the Sixers who actually had the upper hand, taking a 5 point lead into the 2nd quarter. The 2nd quarter belonged to the Spurs as they rallied back to tie things up at the half. The struggle continued in the 3rd quarter, with the Sixers eeking back out to a 2 point lead heading into the 4th quarter. In the 4th quarter the Spurs came out strong early, running out to a 5 point lead before the Sixers fought back and tie it and eventually retake the lead in the final 3 minutes. In the final minutes it was the Sixers defense that shone brightest and after Holiday sunk four three throws down the stretch the Sixers held on for the upset, 77-71. Yes Virginia, this team is for real.
EAGLES NEWS
The Eagles have signed DE Philip Hunt, who led the CFL in sacks last season, to a 3 year deal. Multiple ex-CFL players have become NFL stars in the past, including Warren Moon and the AFC's #2 sacker last year, Cameron Wake. In addition, before joining the CFL Hunt, a former teammate of Kevin Kolb's at Houston university, was the 2008 conference USA defensive player of the year. Hunt has some tools and Jim Washburn has done more with less so who knows, maybe Hunt will be a diamond in the rough.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
FLYERS NEWS
All season the Flyers have struggled when coming off significant layoffs. Tonight after 4 days off they welcomed the Hurricanes to the Wells Fargo center and it was anyone's guess what would happen. As has been case all year the Orange and Black were again not at their best with only 25 shots on goal, but they stayed patient, didn't make mistakes, and fought hard defensively. So while the script wasn't much different the final result certainly was. The biggest reasons for that change were the penalty kill which rubbed out all 5 Hurricane pohttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=29451133wer plays and Brian Boucher who fell just 8 minutes short of the Flyers first shutout of the season thus far, while stopping 31 of 32 shots.
It was a true defensive struggle early on with both teams failing to score in the first 2 periods. Finally 18 seconds in the 3rd period Mike Richards and Chris Pronger setup Jeff Carter on the power play for a 1-0 lead. Halfway through the period the Orange and Black capitalized on another power play with Claude Giroux and Matt Carle setting up Danny Briere for a 2-0 lead. Finally a minute after that Carolina got on the board, but that would be all they would get as Boucher closed things down from there and cemented the 2-1 win.
It was a true defensive struggle early on with both teams failing to score in the first 2 periods. Finally 18 seconds in the 3rd period Mike Richards and Chris Pronger setup Jeff Carter on the power play for a 1-0 lead. Halfway through the period the Orange and Black capitalized on another power play with Claude Giroux and Matt Carle setting up Danny Briere for a 2-0 lead. Finally a minute after that Carolina got on the board, but that would be all they would get as Boucher closed things down from there and cemented the 2-1 win.
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers looked to continue their winning ways tonight as they returned home for a matchup with Dwight Howard and the Magic. Despite playing on back to back nights the Sixers gave Orlando all they could handle and then some. Defensively, they held trey loving Magic under 40% from beyond and actually out rebounded Orlando 45-40. They also did a good job keeping most of the Magic to less then their best, except Howard who went off for 30 and 17 rebounds and that proved to be the difference. The Sixers themselves didn't quite do enough offensively and that too was a factor. They shot only 42% from the field with Lou Williams 23 leading the way. Andre Iguodala was also big with 21 and 8 assists, Elton Brand chipped in with 12, and Jodie Meeks had 17, but no other Sixer had more than 7 points.
Despite not shooting their best most of the night the Sixers actually did come out strong early on, taking a 9 point lead through 1 quarter. Orlando rallied back in the 2nd quarter as the Sixers cooled off and by the half it was a 2 point Orlando advantage. The Sixers were never able to find their top form again for the remainder of the night, but they did not give up. Defense and scrappy allowed them to stick within 5 heading into the 4th quarter. There in the 4th they continually found a way to stay within a basket or two. They were never able to get over the hump though, and eventually after sinking some free throws Orlando hung on to win 99-95.
Despite not shooting their best most of the night the Sixers actually did come out strong early on, taking a 9 point lead through 1 quarter. Orlando rallied back in the 2nd quarter as the Sixers cooled off and by the half it was a 2 point Orlando advantage. The Sixers were never able to find their top form again for the remainder of the night, but they did not give up. Defense and scrappy allowed them to stick within 5 heading into the 4th quarter. There in the 4th they continually found a way to stay within a basket or two. They were never able to get over the hump though, and eventually after sinking some free throws Orlando hung on to win 99-95.
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
SIXERS NEWS
After failing to complete weekend sweep of the New York the Sixes looked to get back to their winning ways tonight in Atlanta against the Hawks and boy did they. Atlanta never knew what hit them. While it's true that the Hawks were without Al Horford, I don't know that they would even have had a chance to win if they did have him. The Sixers were just too good on both sides of the ball. Defensively, they held Atlanta to just 40% shooting from field and 16% from beyond, while racking up 9 steals and 5 blocks and commanding the boards 50-35. Offensively, the Sixers rode hot shooting all night, at 54% from field. Lou Williams 20 off the bench led 6 Sixers in double figures. Elton Brand also had 17, Jodie Meeks and Thad Young each had 16, Jrue Holiday had 15, and Andre Iguodala had 11.
Right from the beginning it was all Sixers all the time. At the end of the 1st quarter they were already up by 18. By the half time the lead was already an insurmountable 32. Atlanta finally woke up a bit in the 3rd quiarter and made some inroads but it was too late. Despite Atlanta's best efforts, the Sixers still led by 30 heading into the 4th quarter. There the Sixers did not rest on their laurels, instead extending their lead by 4, before roling to a 34 point win, 117-83. Not bad huh.
Right from the beginning it was all Sixers all the time. At the end of the 1st quarter they were already up by 18. By the half time the lead was already an insurmountable 32. Atlanta finally woke up a bit in the 3rd quiarter and made some inroads but it was too late. Despite Atlanta's best efforts, the Sixers still led by 30 heading into the 4th quarter. There the Sixers did not rest on their laurels, instead extending their lead by 4, before roling to a 34 point win, 117-83. Not bad huh.
Monday, February 07, 2011
EAGLES NEWS
The Eagles have promoted Micheal Zordich and Mike Caldwell to secondary and linebackers coach respectively. With those promotions and Juan Castillo's promotion to defensive coordinator, the Eagles have now filled all of their major defensive coaching openings.
Sunday, February 06, 2011
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers completed the 2nd half of a home and home series with Knicks this afternoon in the Garden. After toughing out a win in the first half at the Wells Fargo center they were going to have come out with a different type of energy if they wanted sweep the series. Unfortunately they just never quite found the energy they needed in this one, at least not on defense anyway. Amare Stoudamire was just unstoppable with 41 points on 17 of 21 shooting and the Sixers probably would have been best served just to let him do his thing and guard the perimeter. Instead they tried to cool him down and guard the perimeter at the same time and it didn't work. All too often Knicks were left open from beyond while Amare was doubled and tripled and they took full advantage, especially the rookie Landry Fields, who nailed 5 of 7 from beyond to quell all Sixer comeback attempts.
For their part the Sixers did plenty of scoring as well, with Elton Brand's 28 and 5 rebounds leading the way. Andre Iguodala also chipped in with 14, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds, while Thad Young 16 and Lou Williams had 19, both off the bench. Ultimately though, it doesn't matter how many points you score if you can't stop the other guy. Early on the Sixers were at least able to keep things tight. New York rode Amare to a 7 point lead after a quarter of play but the Sixers managed a few defensive stops in the 2nd quarter, and rallied back to within 4 at the half. In the 3rd quarter New York again rode Amare and now Landry to an extended lead, this time by as many as 11, but it wasn't enough to shake the Sixers. Again the Sixers figured out a way to turn it up a notch on defense and it was to close the gap all the way to 3 at one point before settling for a 6 point deficit heading into the 4th quarter. This time Amare and Landry were too much, as despite the Sixer's best efforts the Knicks finally pulled away for good for the 117-103 win.
For their part the Sixers did plenty of scoring as well, with Elton Brand's 28 and 5 rebounds leading the way. Andre Iguodala also chipped in with 14, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds, while Thad Young 16 and Lou Williams had 19, both off the bench. Ultimately though, it doesn't matter how many points you score if you can't stop the other guy. Early on the Sixers were at least able to keep things tight. New York rode Amare to a 7 point lead after a quarter of play but the Sixers managed a few defensive stops in the 2nd quarter, and rallied back to within 4 at the half. In the 3rd quarter New York again rode Amare and now Landry to an extended lead, this time by as many as 11, but it wasn't enough to shake the Sixers. Again the Sixers figured out a way to turn it up a notch on defense and it was to close the gap all the way to 3 at one point before settling for a 6 point deficit heading into the 4th quarter. This time Amare and Landry were too much, as despite the Sixer's best efforts the Knicks finally pulled away for good for the 117-103 win.
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