A couple years back - when wins, losses and the playoffs were things of import to the Sixers - the Bulls annihilated the Sixers by 40+ points early in the year. It was one of the most demoralizing losses in recent history for the franchise. The next time they met Chicago, they were ready and they took down the Bulls. I don't expect that type of turnaround from their 37-point loss in New Orleans a few weeks back, but they better at least show some fight.
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Nikola Vucevic has made tremendous strides in his three seasons in the NBA. In the past two years, he's gone from an inefficient big who rebounds really well to a legitimate offensive weapon who probably doesn't get enough touches.
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Latest comment: from das411
bunch of the beat writers just tweeted that yes both will be back and Thad will start...
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After 24 minutes in Indy, the Sixers are clearly playing the aggressor. Down 4 with a couple quarters to go, can they keep up the pressure and squeak out a stunner?
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The Bucks had an interesting summer of destruction, much like the Sixers. Their best player, Brandon Jennings, was sent packing and they picked up table scraps to fill out their roster. Their early-season tanking returns have been much better than the Sixers, though. They'll bring their 2-8 record into the WFC tonight for a showdown.
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The first-place, 5-7 Philadelphia 76ers will try defend their honor, their perch atop the Atlantic Division and their home floor tonight when the mighty Raptors bring their 4-7 mark to the WFC. The irony of ironies when looking at the Atlantic Division standings is the three tanking teams are at the top, while the Nets and Knicks (contenders if you ask their fans) are bringing up the rear.
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The little "d" in dallas is intentional. Looking at their roster, it amazes me they aren't ranked worse than 21st in DFR. Jose Calderon, Dirk Nowitzki and Monta Ellis are three of the worst defenders at their positions. Those three play a combined 101 minutes/game, the team's DFR must be a testament to the efforts of Marion and Dalembert on that end of the floor.
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The Pelicans and Sixers will have their fates intertwined for years to come as we watch Nerlens Noel and Jrue Holiday play out their careers, but this season carries special weight. Every Pelicans loss is an extra chance at a ping pong ball, but too many losses could mean delayed gratification on the second half of the Jrue Holiday trade. The pro-tanking contingent will be kissing their sisters no matter what happens, everyone else...go Sixers!
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5-4 with wins over the Heat, Bulls and Rockets. This team of leftovers, rejects and wannabes has now topped LeBron James, Derrick Rose, Dwight Howard and Kyrie Irving, to name a few. Tonight, they'll take a team also lacking a superstar, and a journeyman shooter is the guy who scares me the most.
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The Sixers had no chance against the Spurs. Zero. San Antonio is a well-oiled machine, completely disciplined up and down the roster. If the Sixers played them 100 times, they'd lose 99, or more. Houston is a different animal. An unformed juggernaut with more than one Achilles heel. Can the Sixers take advantage? Probably not.
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The charade of a 4-3 start will most likely be shattered tonight when Brett Brown's old team comes to town. The Spurs won't be surprised by anything the Sixers try to do, they wrote the book. Expect light minutes for Duncan, Ginobili and Parker, and a lopsided score when all is said and done.
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After thoroughly outclassing the hapless Cavs in Philly last night, the Sixers hitched a ride to Cleveland to do it all over. The conclusion of this back-to-back, home-and-home is going to tell us something about both of these teams. The Cavs have a mandate to make the playoffs from ownership. The Sixers have a mandate to win the lottery from their GM. Another Sixers win will put both destinies in doubt.
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I suppose this intro writes itself...Andrew Bynum will finally suit up in Philadelphia, only he won't be wearing Sixers duds. Cleveland has already gotten more for their money than Philly did in their dealings with Bynum, but that's far from their money's worth. Tonight, it'll be Kyrie vs. MCW with plenty of boos cascading down on Bynum (and probably the hometown team if they don't start defending).
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