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Game Time: 7:00PM EST
TV: CSNHD, NBALP
Radio: WIP 610
Games Remaining: 15 (Home: 8; Away: 7)

Records
76ers: 33-34 (Won 3 Straight)
Nuggets: 40-26 (Won 3 Straight)

Previous Meetings
Jan. 4th @ DEN: Nuggets 109, 76ers 96

Probable Starters



Here it is.... the return of Allen Iverson to Philadelphia. If the Sixers had lost to the Spurs, I probably would have felt like the Sixers would bounce back and win this one. Since the Sixers won and are riding a high, I think Allen comes in here and puts on a show hence...

My Prediction: Nuggets by 5+



5. 34-33
6. 33-33
7. 33-34
8. -4.0
9. -4.5
10. -6.5

Last 2 games the Nuggets are averaging over 152 points per game. I think they'll find it much harder to score on the 76ers but....

Nuggets by 6

Agreed. AI will blow up. As the 9th seed on the outside, looking-in . . . the nuggets will be hungry.

But they play matador defense. And every time I doubt the Sixers lately, they shock me again. My brain tells me that Denver will win. Hence:

Sixers by 3.5

Wish I could go to the game the place is going to be electric. Anyone on the forum got tickets to go? I think Iverson tries to drop 50 on us.

Sixers winning streak continues. Close game win by two.

AI scores 40+ points.

Sixers by 52. Iverson only scores 3 points, since Green will be guarding him.

Denver is being hot lately. They will play DET the night before so fatigue could be a factor. I still think DEN will win this one by 8
Good to see AI in the center again

Denver will be tired from playing Detroit and hopefully the Detroit game goes into multiple OT's so they will be drained. AI I think has a decent game 30 points but I still think Sixers will win by 5.

Denver is 5th in points per 100 possesions and the strength of their defense is the strength of our offense, and the weakness of their defense (3 point shooting) is our weakness. It could spell into a blowout, but with the way the Sixers are playing, I doubt it.

This 4 day layoff will really benefit the Sixers imo. Denver will be playing their 3rd game in 4 nights. It seems the Nuggets have started playing with a sense of urgency, on top of that it's Iverson's first game back, so I don't see them coming out laxed all. I'll wait until I see the result of the Nuggets-Pistons game before I make a prediction. If they beat the Pistons, I see them winning this. If they lose against the Pistons by 10+, I've got the Sixers by 6.

I'd love to see Thad start in this game in place of Green and instead of Evans (as well as every other game) because Iguodala won't be able to handle Melo, and Green won't be able to handle Iverson. With Thad and Iguodala, they'd matchup up much better defensively and on the offensive end they could take advantage of Denver's small lineup. Oh well, Mo is our coach, guess you can't expect too much.

We should win this one. Denver will be playing their 3rd game in 4 days and we have 3 days rest coming into the game plus we are at home.

To say Denver have been red hot lately would be an understatement. I really hope Detroit and/or fatigue take something out of them.

I know Seattle are horrible but the Nuggets still looked amazing.

Great to see AI back too. I really do miss the guy.

There was a mention in the Denver papers that Iverson is having Reebok make him custom shoes for this game. Supposed to have a message to the fans on it.

I don't see how we can match up with Denver. We do best in an uptempo game, but in an uptempo game they are much more deadly than us.

I guess I couldn't see how we could have beat the Pistons or Spurs either, so maybe they will shock the world... again... except the world outside this board doesn't seem to be paying much attention to this team.

i really want to beat this team more than any other.the reasons are obvious.

After the trade went down, I couldn't imagine anyone beating the Nuggets with AI, Melo, Camby, Nene, KMart, etc. If they could somehow have kept Miller, it might have been. But they are still an awesomely explosive and dangerous team, which, I think, can beat any team in any game or any series.

They scare me, but this year, and our team, has shown me that anything can happen. In an era of ESPN highlights, I think most still cannot believe that a bunch of very good no-names, can also be dangerous, playing consummate team ball with excellent and varied defense.

I do disagree with one thing, though, GP. I, would start Evans instead of Young on KMart. With Nene out I think Thad or Jason could be more useful off of the bench. Against a more finesse type four, I like Thad starting and Reggie coming in to add muscle to Smith and our second unit.

The Teams: 76ers VS Nuggets

The lineups(probables) G-Andre Miller G-Allen Iverson
G-Willie Green G-Anthony Carter
F-Andre Iguodala F-Eduardo Najera
F-Thaddeus Young F-Carmelo Anthony
C-Samuel Dalembert C-Marcus Camby

The Sixers: Have gone 14-4 in their last 18 games including wins over the Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, and San Antonio Spurs. When one thinks of the Nuggets, many might tend to think of the GS Warriors blowout. But to me, the Nuggets are far from the warriors. They have average 3pt shooting in Najera, Smith, and Kleiza. I think we can contain the Nuggets if we make a slight lineup change. And that to me, is I dislike the matchup of Thaddeus Young and Carmelo Anthony. Young's done a fantastic job in limited matchups with Dirk Nowitski and Kevin Garnett. But here, Melo isn't that much older(or shouldn't be) then Young. And has an arsenal of postup moves. I fear if Young plays Melo, we're going to be owned in the paint. For that reason, I would want to front-up Carmelo Anthony and make him play on the perimeter(He's still not a very good shooter or passer.) Having Iguodala/Carney rotate defensively on Melo should make it very difficult. Meanwhile Thaddeus Young should be able to keep up with the Najera's, the Smith's and the Klezia's of the Denver Nuggets. Carney and another G/F will also share the responsibilitys. [B]AND SECONDLY, BOX OUT. The Nuggets have Marcus Camby and Kenyon Martin(coming off the bench I think) for their rebounding. Martin's been terrific after surgery but hasn't been the shotblocking force he used to be. But still we need to box out and finally we need to CONTROL THE TEMPO. The Denver Nuggets do not like it when teams are able to take care of the basketball and run at the same time. We've gotten constantly better at this area thanks to our young bucks finally getting their game(and shooting) back, it'll have to continue here against a very dominate transition team in the Nuggets.

For the Nuggets: This will be an emotional game for Iverson, this being his first game in this buliding as an OPPONENT of the 76ers rather then their franchise player. Even though Iverson's playing with a broken finger. Sixers fans know all too well about how Iverson can put the ball in the hoop no matter WHAT kind of injury he sustains.(Unless it's a season ending one.) They need to feed the ball to Allen Iverson and make him the point guard. No more of this Anthony Carter crap, he's getting his points because of how great the Nuggets offense is. He can still get his 10+ off the bench and you can start the taller J.R. Smith at two guard. Why don't they do this? George Karl is the western version of Maurice Cheeks.

Prediction: Mo won't make my lineup change, because we've asked for it all season long and we STILL haven't gotten it. The same applies for George Karl and the Nuggets. So, what will this game come down to. Rebounding, Reggie Evans and Samuel Dalembert must help eachother out against Marcus Camby and control the defensive glass. Rebounding and turnovers will decide if the 76ers can make it 15/18, or if they will lose the game. 76ers by 5+ because of how well their rebounding and transition defense and taking care of the ball has been over the past 2 months.

I'd bring Thad off the bench in this one too, Chuck. I still think we have to keep imposing our will on these better teams, ad Evans is an intimidator and tone setter. I REALLY think that will be important in this game...I say Sixers in a nailbiter

I think Iverson will try to do too much and end up hurting his team....Denver is much better when AI uses his teammates but he will want to put on a show for Philly and might end up giving the Sixers further confirmation that it was a good thing shipping him out.

The Nuggets have been awful on the road this year. I don't expect that they will dominate the game, quite frankly.

As far as the game is concerned, we have legitimate chances to win. We have had our troubles against good three point shooting players and post-up players. None of them are playing on the Nuggets squad. Their game is rather based on the perimeter and I think we are better equipped to that kind of game style. I think we will do fine as long as Iverson, Melo and Smith are not lighting it up from outside. Frankly, I am expecting a win and I would be otherwise pretty disappointed...

That game adds zest to another thing: We are playing for an even record!

i'm shaking with excitement over this game. AI comin home, Sixers are playing team ball, and to top it all off we have a chance to take that six spot if the damn wiz would just go down.

Its been a while since AI was traded, but I don't think Iverson will ever look right in a Nuggets jersey.