Game 6: Pistons @ 76ers 5/1/08

[The Guilty Party]

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Game Time: 8:00PM EST
TV: CSNHD, TNTHD
Radio: 610 WIP

Series Schedule
Game 1 Apr. 20th @ DET: 76ers 90, Pistons 86
Game 2 Apr. 23rd @ DET: Pistons 105, 76ers 88
Game 3 Apr. 25th @ PHI: 76ers 95, Pistons 75
Game 4 Apr. 27th @ PHI: Pistons 93, 76ers 84
Game 5 Apr. 29th @ DET: Pistons 98, 76ers 81
Game 6 May 1st @ PHI: Thursday @ 8PM
Game 7 May 3rd @ DET: Saturday @ TBD

Probable Starters



I'm pulling for the Sixers to extend the season and keep this thing going so I'm gonna let my heart and not my mind predict this one hence...

My Prediction: 76ers by 5+



Eastern Conference Playoff Match-ups

[1]Boston Vs. [8]Atlanta: Celtics lead series 3-2

[2]Detroit Vs. [7]Philadelphia: Pistons lead series 3-2

[3]Orlando Vs. ???: Await winner of DET/PHI series

[4]Cleveland Vs. [5]Washington: Cavs lead series 3-2

Western Conference Playoff Match-ups

[1]LA Lakers Vs. ???: Await winner of UTA/HOU series

[4]Utah Vs. [5]Houston: Jazz lead series 3-2

[2]New Orleans Vs. [3]San Antonio: Series is tied 0-0

[Hewy29]

Lets go Sixers!!! This is the kind of game where you find out what players are made of. Its gonna come down to who wants it more. Hopefully the Sixers will want to take this to the limit.

[bstein14]

I expect a fight out of the Sixers.... They keep it close and take a small lead into halftime.

Detroit comes out in the 3rd quarter and takes care of business to close out the series.

Great Season for Philly and BIG offseason to look forward to.

[Dedicated_76ers_fan]

You know, the reason we've been losing is the turnovers resulting from having Miller shoot too much and careless passing? I know it's a long shot, but if Mo actually addresses these problems(Move Iggy to the 2, return Miller to his role as a distributor) we play the ways we did in games 1 and 3. And even in games 2, 4 and 5 we've been getting far more shots then the Pistons. If we make these basketball shots, we win the game. The truth is, turnovers and coaching aside, we've outplayed the Pistons. Time to break that team up.

[ChuckS]

[quote] "You know, the reason we've been losing is the turnovers resulting from having Miller shoot too much and careless passing?" [/quote]


I'll buy the argument that it is difficult for us to win with careless passing and turnovers.

I have trouble believing that fifteen shots a game is too many for our second best scorer...and particularly when our best is slumping.

In our first four games Miller shot over 50%. We haven't had too many others who can even get a shot off against the Pistons.

In our last game he went 5 for 17, which certainly contributed to the loss. He did not take one bad shot, however, considering those are what he makes 50% of the time.


[quote] "The truth is, turnovers and coaching aside, we've outplayed the Pistons." [/quote]


My recollections of games two and five and the second half of game four make it impossible for me to understand that thinking. And any coach who could get this team to the playoffs, and then have them perform as they have against Detroit, should be canonized...or at least knighted.

I have not given up yet, but admit that I would not bet the house against a squad as good as the Pistons.

[Sleep]

Like everyone else I want us to win but more than that I want to see us really give it everything we've got and fight. We're better than we've played this series.

If we go on to lose that second half of game four will be even more heartbreaking.

Thad must get more minutes!

[bech01a1]

I really hope we come out and show some heart. Don't just pack it in and get blown out at home to end the season.

Win or lose, it has been a really fun year.

[STChaser]

Few things I would change up tonight;

1) More Thaddeus - on Prince. Time to finally make the change, Mo. No more waiting. Starting lineup tonight should be; Miller, Iguodala, Thaddeus, Smith, Sam.
2) More Kevin Ollie to spell minutes for Miller. As odd as this may sound, I think Miller is spent and it's been showing up in his defense against Billups. I think Ollie could provide some much needed defensive intensity against Chauncy.
3) Sam needs a serious kick in the azz - as do his teammates for not getting him involved on offense. This isn't rocket science; the more Sam contributes on offense, the more energy he exerts on defense.
4) Cheeks can't let the bleeding go on. If our starters aren't getting it done early on, he needs to replace them with the energy bunch (i.e. Carney, Lou, Thaddeus, etc.) Don't wait until we're down 15 for heaven's sake!
5) Someone - I'm not sure who, needs to keep Maxiell in check. This kid has been dominating our frontcourt and has been a huge reason for their turnaround in this series.
6) Finally, do what works; Lou can score almost at will. So have our other players focus primarily on defense and let Lou score the ball. I know it's a very Allen Iversonish strategy, but I do feel it could work against Detroit.

[tk76]

I agree with #4. Since there is no margin for error, Mo needs to turn to the bench at the first sign of Detroit pulling away. He can't call 2 timeouts and continue with the same players.

Guys like Evans and Lou bring a lot of energy off the bench and can swing momentum.

During the regular season I am fine with Mo trying to stick with his players, since it helps instill them with confidence that they won't be pulled on a whim. Since this game is win or go home, Mo can't pull any punches.

[Hewy29]

i agree a little about the miller being tired and playing poor defense on chauncey. Ollie would be interesting to have on him for a bit just to give him a hard time. Kinda like lindsay hunter when he comes in to hound the ball handler for a little bit.

[philbe311]

No one will be rooting louder than I this evening, but the magic 8-Ball pronostication isn't good ("polish the clubs and book and early tee time")...

In all seriousness, I would try a line-up change... I would start out with Miller, Iggy, Thad, Evans, and Daly... I think the line-up provides more size and energy as it's imperative we get off to a good start... Willie's "offense" actually may good off the bench incase we get into an early hole...

Even if we win tonight, I don't see us winning a game 7 in DET...

[The Guilty Party]

Even if we win tonight, I don't see us winning a game 7 in DET...

I think most of us would agree with that but I would say that we would have a puncher's chance in Game 7. Either way, I'm looking for the Sixers to come out and play extremely hard in front of a loud home crowd.

[Johnny Broad-Street]

I'd say if we force a game 7, throw it all out the window. The common rule is Home court/field goes away in a game 7, as the circumstances tend to override the environment. As long as we don't play scared...puncher's chance indeed.

[Skates]

I agree with #4. Since there is no margin for error, Mo needs to turn to the bench at the first sign of Detroit pulling away. He can't call 2 timeouts and continue with the same players.

Guys like Evans and Lou bring a lot of energy off the bench and can swing momentum.

During the regular season I am fine with Mo trying to stick with his players, since it helps instill them with confidence that they won't be pulled on a whim. Since this game is win or go home, Mo can't pull any punches.

Absolutely. They must play with high energy in this game. If someone or a whole unit is not playing well go to the bench and find the necessary intensity and fire. Also, stay with the hot hand. This would be a good night for one of those games where Willie Green suddenly can't miss. Thad should be more involved in the offense as well.

[Johnny Broad-Street]

Bingo Skates....They don't have anyone who is as active as Thad underneath. Hit him early and frustrate them a bit. Bring Sheed back down low a bit and dictate the beginning of the game

[Sandalf42]

If we could at the very least keep game 6 competitive, I would be happy with the outcome.

If we win, even just this game and not the series, Sixers basketball will be back on the map and respectable again.

I can live with that. I'm tired of hearing from my older brother how the Nets have a better future and the Sixers are screwed for eternity.

[STChaser]

It is bothersome that Thaddeus hasn't been given (or hasn't taken) the green light and tried to dominate the game more on offense. I know he's got the tools to do it because we've all seen some of his skills over the course of this season as well as from watching his performance at the MJ game where he outplayed Durant and won MVP. I know Thad has it in him to be dominant. We've seen him put up nice stats without seemingly even trying much. What could he do if Mo ran plays for him rather than relying on him to get his points off of putbacks and turnovers?

Another thing about Thaddeus. I've heard he's got the "silent confidence" from several sources. Anyone else want to see how this kid performs when he's pissed off? Anyone else waiting to see Thad's game face? As of now, I think of him more as the "smooth operator" with those finger roles and graceful layups off the spin move. I want to see him dunking the ball with authority more and drawing fouls. I know he's got the size to play above the rim. I'd like to see Thaddeus playing like someone just disrespected his mama.

STCHaser

[Hewy29]

Bingo Skates....They don't have anyone who is as active as Thad underneath. Hit him early and frustrate them a bit. Bring Sheed back down low a bit and dictate the beginning of the game

Uhh...Maxiel is pretty active. He is usually the reason why we cant keep thad a pf cuz he out muscles him.

[Hewy29]

the players on the court treat thad like he reggie evans at times. Not saying that reggie should get touches, but whenever thad has position, they just look at him for a while, and try to drive. So many times iguodala and miller just play give and go with each other that it gets annoying.

[Johnny Broad-Street]

That's true Hewy, but I also think Maxiell needs to be challenged the whole game because he DOES get tired, and is prone to frustration when you push him