“This is a game we won’t forget about and also will forget about.”  Uhhhh…What?!  That is what Tony DiLeo was quoted as saying following Sunday night’s awful loss to the New Jerset Nets.  Now, I know what DiLeo meant, but that doesn’t make it any less funny to read.  That is one of those quotes that can make your head spin, very similar to the way the Sixers play can do the same.  I chose not to write a single word after the loss to the Nets, because it really didn’t deserve any space on this website.  Plus, I probably would have been arrested for vulgarity had I written anything at all.  Instead I want to simply look at the remaining six games, and the Sixers chances of snagging the 5^th seed in the Eastern Conference.

There are a few factors that play into the remaining games as I see it.  I am basing all my predictions on possibilities.  Three of the final 6 games will be against Boston and Cleveland and there is a chance that the Sixers may not be facing their best squad, but it remains to be seen.  Here’s how I think it will play out between the Sixers and Heat in the battle for the 5^th seed…

Tuesday, April 7th

Sixers @Charlotte- Tonight’s game is huge.  While it is not a must win for the season, I believe it is if the Sixers want any chance of beating out Miami.  The Bobcats are going to fight tooth and nail, as they cannot afford any more losses if they want to sneak into the 8^th seed.  I think/hope that the Sixers come out with aggression and play from in front and win a close game.

New Orleans @ Miami

Obviously Miami has the same motivation in their final 5 games as the Sixers do.  But, tonight I think a good New Orleans team will win in Miami.  New Orleans is fighting for playoff seeding as well.  They currently sit in 6^th in the West, but can as high up as 3^rd if they play well down the stretch.

Sixers- 41-36     Heat- 41-37

Thursday, April 9^th

Sixers @ Chicago

It is looking like the Bulls have secured either the 7^th or 8^th seed in the Eastern Conference, but they aren’t going to be assured anything at this point.  It will be a tough road game, but I am going to go with the Sixers in this one.  Andre Miller is going to put up big numbers against the Bulls.

Sixers- 42-36     Heat- 41-37

Friday, April 10^th

Cleveland @ Sixers

The Sixers have no shot in this game.  Not only is it a road/home back to back, but it is against the best team in the conference.  The Cavs are fighting to beat out the Lakers for best overall record in the NBA.  They have only lost one game (albeit to the Lakers) at home, and have their sights set on the NBA Finals.  You better believe they want home court advantage.  Sixers will be beaten handily in this one.

Miami @ Boston

The Celtics are tough at home, and they definitely want to ensure having the home court advantage in a possible 2^nd round match up with the Magic.  I think Miami is going to play tough in this one, but the Celtics prevail.

Sixers- 42-37     Heat- 41-38

Sunday, April 12^th

Sixers @ Toronto

The Sixers have a lot to play for, and Toronto has absolutely nothing to play for.  That should be a recipe for a win, although you never know with this Sixers team.  I will give them the benefit of the doubt and put this one in the win column.

New York @ Miami

Dwayne Wade will make sure that Miami takes care of the Knicks in front of the home crowd in a big game. 

Sixers- 43-37    Heat- 42-38

Tuesday, April 14^th

Boston @ Sixers

There is a pretty good chance that this game will mean something in the playoff seeding for the Celtics.  I will base my prediction on that premise and say that the Celtics take down the Sixers in order to secure the 2^nd seed in the Eastern Conference.

Miami @ Atlanta

This game could very well be a first round playoff series match up.  Depending on where the Hawks stand at this point, this game could be to lock up home court for the first round.  I think the Hawks will want to make sure the Heat don’t feel good on Atlanta’s home court.  Atlanta wins a close game.

Sixers- 43-38     Heat- 42-39

Wednesday, April 15^th

Sixers @ Cleveland

The more I looked at the schedules for each team, I decided that the race between the Lakers and Cavs for best record in the NBA could very well come down to the final regular season game.  With that theory in mind, the Sixers will not win in Cleveland.  If they have already clicned by this point and decide to rest some players, the Sixers may have chance.  I am not sure that will be the case.

Detroit @ Miami

If everything breaks down the way I have laid it out, then this would be a huge game for Miami.  At this point, Detroit will likely already know it can do no better than the 8^th seed, and will pack it in like the Pistons tend to do.  Miami wins their final regular season game.

Sixers- 43-39     Heat- 43-39

So, that would mean the Sixers and Heat end their battle tied.  The two teams split their season series, so the next tiebreaker would be conference record.  If we use my scenario, the Heat would finish with a conference record of 28-24, and the Sixers would sit at 27-25.  Obviously, this would mean that the Sixers would finish 6^th in the East and face either the Magic or Celtics.

I am hoping that it plays out differently, of course.  I am simply laying out what my prediction would be if you put a gun to my head (please don’t, I don’t want to have to get physical).  I know I am making a big deal out of this whole thing, but it’s because I truly believe that if the Sixers can somehow get the 5^th seed, they will win their first round series.  I believe just winning a series and getting to face Cleveland in the 2^nd round will benefit all the young Sixers heading into next season.  This team needs to grow and learn what it feels like to win a playoff series, and getting the 5^th seed is the only way for the Sixers to do that.

“We’re streaking!  We’re going up through the quad to the gymnasium.”  Everybody knows that came from the mouth of Frank the Tank in “Old School”.  Well, it looks like the Sixers are streaking, too.  Only, they aren’t running drunk and naked through the streets.  The Sixers lost their 3^rd game in a row today by the score of 97-91 to the Miami Heat.  I know that reference was a little out of left field, but come along with me anyway. 

Actually, now that I think about it, the Sixers could have passed for drunk today against the Heat.  Collectively, they shot 37% from the field, including two starters (Green and Iguodala) that combined to shoot 4 for 25.  So during the 3 game losing streak, the Sixers have produced field goal percentages of 38%, 32%, and today’s 37%.  That is absolutely horrible.  The starters were absolute dominated today, except for Andre Miller.  Speights and Lou Williams came off the bench and played well, but it wasn’t near enough to overcome Dwayne Wade and the Heat.  It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where the solution lies.  First of all, the Sixers just aren’t a good shooting team.  They thrive on creating easy buckets off turnovers and fast break opportunities, and recently they have not been able to do much of that.  Even when the Sixers shoot a high percentage, it isn’t from them hitting a bunch of jumpers. Either way, if you want to be a good NBA team, you have to find ways to convert in the half court.  There have been stretches under Tony DiLeo that the Sixers have played much better in their half court offense, but that is certainly not the case right now.  One of the biggest problems is that the Sixers just don’t have that reliable scorer who can get a high percentage shot whenever they want.  In reality, Lou Williams may be the closest thing they have, but his shot is not consistent enough. 

There were a lot of things that took place in today’s game that didn’t make a whole lot of sense.  I can’t figure out why Thaddeus Young sat for so much of the 4^th quarter.  I like having Lou Williams in the game down the stretch, so I would prefer seeing a lineup of Miller, Williams, Iggy, Young, and Speights.  I understand this lineup can’t be used in every game, but today the Sixers needed guys on the floor who could get themselves a shot, so I don’t understand why Young wasn’t on the floor.  There was one more thing that drove me insane!  We have already mentioned how poor of a shooting team the Sixers are, so why the hell with 24 seconds left and down by 3 do the Sixers draw up a play designed for Williams to force up a well defended three?  There was plenty of time to get a bucket and foul and then maybe if you are forced to, you go for the three.  Not to mention, the easiest way to get a 3 in that situation would be a drive and kick play.  So, why not run a play that is designed to get to the hole and then either get the easy bucket or kick for an open 3?  Granted, Lou didn’t have to shoot it, but it was obviously the designed play, and I think it was a bad call by DiLeo.  Last I checked, the Sixers traded Kyle Korver. 

So, where do the Sixers go from here?  Well, they have some winnable games coming up, and they need to seize that opportunity.  Plain and simple, the Sixers best offense is their defense.  It may be cliché, but it’s absolutely true.  That is where it needs to start for this team.  They have the ability to harass teams all over the court, and in order get out of this horrible shooting stretch, that’s what they need to do.  Let’s face it, easier looks equal better field goal percentage.  Let’s see if the Sixers can make Frank the Tank proud and go “streaking” in the other direction.

RANTS

I just wanted to mention 2 other things regarding the Sixers real quick that are really starting to piss me off.  Scratch that, I am already pissed.

1)       Willie Green- Willie Green has no business starting in the NBDL, let alone the NBA.  I honestly don’t get it.  He never plays in the 4^th quarter, so that shows how much they think of him.  If you won’t play him in the 4^th, why the hell is he starting?  Why not start Speights at the four, Young at the 3?  Or, insert Williams into the starting lineup at the 2.  Anything would be better than having to watch Willie Green pretend to be an NBA player.

2)       Sammy- He needs to shut his mouth!  I am tired of hearing him complain to reporters every time his name is mentioned for a trade or someone says he needs to play better.  Uh, hey Sam, you stink.  You are making millions of dollars and have absolutely zero ability on the offensive end!  He has some crazy idea that if he played 40 minutes a game, he’d be a 20/10 guy.  I’m sorry, I just can’t stand listening to him complain every time something doesn’t go his way.  Ok, I’m done.

I wanted to go back to a format I enjoyed using last year during the NBA Playoffs for tonight’s Sixers game against the Miami Heat.  I have to give credit where credit is due here.  I am blatantly copying my favorite sports writer, Bill Simmons.  Simmons periodically writes a running diary for a particular sports event.  So, that’s exactly what I’ll be doing here.  I enjoy this because I think it gives a great fan perspective throughout the course of a game.  I must admit before I start that I am a highly emotional fan, so there may be times when I make assanine statements, so bear with me.  I just try and call it like I see it.  So here goes…

6:40PM- I need to run out to pick up some takeout before the game gets underway.  I can’t concentrate on an empty stomach.  But, before I do, the obvious key to the game is making Dwayne Wade earn his points.  One way to do that is make him work on the defensive end throughout the game.  My guess is the Sixers will use a variety of defenders on Wade from Willie Green, to Royal Ivey, as well as Iguodala.  The Sixers were destroyed by the Heat earlier in the season so I hope they come out to play tonight.  They had trouble taking care of the ball in that game, so that will be crucial tonight.  The Sixers could use a win to gain some ground in the standings on the Heat.  Controlling the glass and getting out on the break will also be keys.  Maybe whoever took over Dalembert’s body against the Pacers will possess him again tonight!  I’m hoping Speights gets more minutes tonight, screw Reggie Evans.  Okay, time to feed my gut.

7:12PM- Courtside reporting is pointless to me in the NBA.  I have yet to hear anything of substance from any of them.  Thanks for not letting me down Dei!

7:14PM- First bucket by Thad.  I hope Haslem guards him all game and Thad takes him to the hole all night.  It could be a big night for him if that is the case.

7:20PM- First timeout of the game.  The Sixers are out to a nice start with a 13-7 lead.  Four of those points coming on the break so that’s a good sign.  I have to tell you that I really like Sammy’s activity on the defensive end.  He is aggressively hedging on screens and then getting back to the lane.  I have to give him credit for his play lately.  On a side note, I will never order vodka rigatoni from this place again.

7:24PM- Shawn Marion officially has the most disgusting looking jump shot in the history of basketball.  

7:29PM- Wade scores on a layup when he snuck behind the defense at the end of the shot clock to cut the Sixers lead to 20-15.  How the hell does Dwayne Wade sneak anywhere on the basketball court?!

7:30PM- Another timeout with the Sixers leading 24-17 with 2:13 left in the first quarter.  So far, so good.  Does anyone else think that Heat coach Erik Speolstra looks like a kid you went to high school with?  Only, he looks like he is still in high school.

7:33PM- Sweet!  Reggie Evans is in.  Those four words make me cringe.  Maybe this will be one of those random games where Evans actually contributes something worthwhile.  Why does Bob Salmi love the dude?  We can count on Salmi using the term “lunchpailing” at least 12 times tonight.  I can’t wait.

7:38PM- The first quarter comes to a sloppy end here for the Sixers.  Take care of the damn ball!  A good NBA team does not turn the ball over like a high school team.  Still, the Sixers lead 26-23.  The bench needs to play well. The other night against the Pacers they were mostly terrible.

7:43PM- I do like Speights a lot but he just got called for goaltending and it was one of those shots where you wonder what the hell he was thinking.  At least he follows it up with a nice reverse on the other end.

7:46PM- With 7:56 left in the 2^nd quarter, the Sixers lead is down to one at 33-32.  The trend seems to be that the Sixers struggle when the starters leave the floor.  Lou Williams needs to take control of this unit.  I’d love to see him become a leader of the second unit.

7:49PM- The Executioner!  Bernard Hopkins, baby.  I love that dude.  And, of course, Salmi uses the sight of Hopkins to stroke Reggie Evans.  “One of the toughest block outs in the league.”  I hate that phrase.  It means nothing to me.

7:51PM- Reggie Evans has a nice series in the last minute.  He misses a rebound that ends with a Heat jumper, comes down and for some unknown reason decides he is a post player and throws up a left handed baby hook, and then follows that up with a loose ball foul!  Can you tell I don’t like Reggie Evans? Someone please convince me that he is worth more than one decent game a month.  I’ll wait.  Sixers lead 38-36 with 5:52 left in the half.

7:55PM- Salmi just told us that the Heat are “missing some scoring when Wade is off the floor.  Thank you, Captain Obvious!

7:57PM- Is it me or does Michael Beasley always look stoned?  Not Sam Perkins stoned, but still pretty high.

7:58PM- The Sixers break a tie and go up 40-38 on a fast break started by Dalembert and finished nicely by Miller.  Also, I am able to breathe for awhile because Reggie Evans isn’t spazzing out all over the floor.  The Sixers need to close out the half strong here.  The offense has gotten completely stagnant.

8:03PM- Smart move by Spoelstra, I think.  The Heat are throwing some zone at the Sixers and we know they are not a bunch of sharp shooters out there.

8:06PM- One last play to end the half.  But, did anyone else see the shot of DiLeo in the Sixers huddle while one of the assistants was drawing up the play?  He looked like he was trying to hold in a poop.  Speaking of that play…it doesn’t result in anything for the Sixers.  So, the score is tied at the half 44-44.  After a pretty solid first quarter, the Sixers played poorly in the second.  The third quarter will be crucial in this game.  I certainly don’t want to see a back and forth game in the fourth quarter.  That’s Dwayne Wade time. I have decided not to watch the halftime show.  Not that you care.

8:18PM- I am back in front of the TV.  I have a feeling the starters are going to have to play most of the second half.  I am looking for Andre Miller to be aggressive on the offensive end.  Iguodala has a tough match up against Marion, so the Sixers will probably need more from Miller in this game.  The Sixers, just like I said before the game, need to take better care of the ball.  Too many unforced turnovers are killing them so far.

8:24PM- The second half is about to start and I’d like to thank Dei Lynam for incorporating Reggi Evans into her report. At least, Bob Salmi is excited.

8:28PM- Not a good start to the second half by the Sixers, as the Heat go on a 6-0 run to lead 50-44.  They remain stagnant on the offensive end, as well as they continue to give up too many easy buckets.

8:31PM- I have to admit that the Heat do a really nice job of getting back in transition.  That’s not something that bodes well for the Sixers.  They need to play better on the defensive end to trigger their break.  Where the hell is Iguodala?  He really needs to get going tonight or the Sixers could be in trouble.  They don’t have enough scorers for Iguodala to have a terrible game.

8:35PM- The Sixers are already over the foul limit with 6:25 left in the quarter.  Wade will be attacking the basket, you can guarantee that. 

8:37PM- All right, I am starting to get frustrated.  The Sixers are down 58-52 with 5:32 left in the third quarter.  They are racking up fouls on the defensive end, and they just don’t seem to have any energy.  This is a big game for this team!  How the hell was that not a travel called on Wade?  It was a blatant up and down on Wade. 

8:40PM- Theo Ratliff sighting!  The good news is that means Evans didn’t come into the game.

8:41PM- The Sixers are playing like crap and trail 59-52, but it was nice to see Magloire stomp his feet like a 2 year old and get called for a technical.  Maybe the ref told him he couldn’t have any dessert because he didn’t eat his dinner like a big boy.

8:46PM- The Heat lead by 8 now at 65-57 with 2:30 left in the quarter.  The Sixers are having one of those quarters they have become quite famous for.  Their only points are coming from the line, and they have only scored 13 so far.  There is no ball movement at all.  I feel like a broken record right now. 

8:49PM- Apparently the NBA rules on traveling apply to Andre Miller but not Dewayne Wade, as Miller just got called for exactly what Wade didn’t.  It was the right call, but I’m still angry.

8:54PM- I’m glad that quarter has come to an end.  The Sixers now trail 69-63.  I just hope DiLeo doesn’t decide that putting Evans in will turn the game around.  The Sixers did nothing right in the 3^rd.  I want to see aggressive basketball on both ends here.  Take to ball to the basket, and on defense they need to start showing some effort.  If the Sixers are going to win this game, it will be because they get stops and force turnovers.

9:00PM- Well, DiLeo didn’t listen to me.  Evans is in to start the 4^th, and subsequently gives up an offensive rebound that leads to a bucket for the Heat.

9:01PM- Great play by Lou Williams, dishing the ball inside for a possible dunk.  Evans was fouled on the play and will go to the line for two after the timeout.  The Heat are already at the foul limit with over 10 minutes left.  That’s even more of a reason to be aggressive and drive the basketball.

9:06PM- Even though it’s been ugly, a nice 13-4 run for the Sixers, and they have taken the lead back 74-73.  What a surpise that they are showing some intensity on the defensive end!  Not a tough concept here, boys!

9:08PM- It drives me nuts when an official makes a call only after the shot is missed.  Ivey gets called for a block on Chalmers.  Chalmers then misses both free throws.  As Rasheed Wallace likes to say, “the ball don’t lie.”

9:11PM- The Sixers are up 76-74 with a little more than 7 minutes left.  Wade is now on the  bench.  The Sixers need to take advantage of what will be a short rest for Wade. The Heat do not have a go to scorer on the floor.  Now is the time to make a run.

9:12PM- Nevermind.  Wade is right back.  Spoelstra heard me.

9:14PM- Man, Ivey loves that corner three!  He hits one, followed by a great block by Speights on Wade.  The next trip down the floor, Thad drains a three.  That was a huge burst to put the Sixers up 82-74 with 6:04 left.  Speaking of Speights, I can’t say it enough…get him his minutes.  He will make some mistakes, but he does a ton of things to help the team win.  Now, they need to keep up the defensive pressure.

9:20PM- Another BS call in favor of Wade.  He drove down the lane and then lost the ball out of bounds completely on his own.  Of course, that’s not possible, so the Heat kept the ball.

9:22PM- The Sixers are up 89-80 with 2:57 left to play.  Ivey is having a great fourth quarter.  Talk about someone that has earned himself a role on this team!  He has a steal and a layup, and hits another huge three.  I have to give credit to DiLeo.  He has kept Ivey, Williams, Speights, and Evans on the floor.  The lineup has worked.  I also have to say, in fairness, Evans is playing pretty well in the 4^th. 

9:26PM- Iggy and Miller are back in the game, along with Speights, Ivey, and Evans.  I love the trust DiLeo is showing in these guys!  Speights is everywhere right now.  That is the type of energy this team needs on a consistent basis.

9:29PM- What a great 4^th quarter by the Sixers, especially the bench.  The Sixers have just won 94-84.  Kudos go out to Ivey and Speights particularly.  Looks like I was completely wrong about the starters having to carry the team tonight, and about Iguodala needing to have a big second half.  I was way off on both those accounts. The game wasn’t pretty but they got the job done.  The defense really improved in the 4^th, and that’s how this team is going to have to win games. The Sixers did a nice job getting to the line, and thankfully hitting most of their free throws for a change.  Seven players ended up in double figures, which is crazy when you see that they only scored 94 points.  Lost in all of Ivey’s exploits tonight was how well Ivey played Wade defensively in the 4^th quarter.  When you can say Dwayne Wade only scored one point in a quarter, you can pat yourself on the back.  Big win tonight.  I said all along that the Sixers needed a 5-2 home stand.  Well, they currently sit at 3-2 with games coming against the Suns and the Grizzlies.  If the Sixers can win both games, they will be riding a 4 game win streak into the all-star break, and will be sitting at 27-24.  After all that has transpired in a little more than half a season, I will take that.  This was fun, and I will definitely do it again sometime.