After the next eight games the Sixers play everyone should have a better idea if the Sixers are in fact ready to become a contender in the Eastern Conference. As of now the Sixers are 14-6 and currently the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference (only 2 games behind the one seed Chicago Bulls). However many believe that their record is not truly representative of how good of a team the Sixers are. The reason behind that, they have played the easiest schedule in the league to this point in the season. Their first 20 opponents have a combined winning percentage of .398 and they have only beaten two teams with winning records (Pacers and Hawks).The next eight games that the Sixers will play are not only going to test them with more difficult opponents, but also will test their stamina as they play eight games in just thirteen days. Those eight opponents are as follows: vs. Magic, vs. Bulls, vs. Heat, at Hawks, vs Lakers, vs Spurs, vs Clippers, and at Cavaliers. Those teams have a combined winning percentage of .634 which is far better than the combined winning percentages of the first 20 opponents. We will go much more in depth with each game individually as they get closer providing previews and analysis for each game, but for now let's preview tonight's match up with the Orlando Magic.
The Magic come in to tonight's contest reeling having lost four of their last five after a really hot start to the season. They are now 12-8 on the year and come into Philadelphia off of a loss last night against the Indiana Pacers. They will be without St. Joe's product Jameer Nelson in this one who is out with concussion symptoms. Ryan Anderson, who has had a surprisingly great start to the season averaging 16.3 ppg, is questionable for the Magic with a bruised calf.
Even without Jameer Nelson and possibly Ryan Anderson the Magic will still be a tough opponent to face as they boast one of the best players in the NBA and the best big man in the game, in none other than Dwight Howard. He is having another All Star caliber season as he is averaging 20.2 ppg and an incredible 15.5 rpg. The key to getting a victory tonight will not be to shut him down because that is virtually impossible, especially with the thin front court of the Sixers, but to contain and limit what he can do. This means that if the Sixers think he is going to get an easy bucket, foul him and make sure he has to earn it at the line where he is shooting 46% on the season. I'd rather take my chances with him at the free throw line as opposed to giving him an easy two.
As for the Sixers they will be without Spencer Hawes for the eighth consecutive game as he has been ruled out of tonight's game with the achilles injury. Rookie Nikola Vucevic who has missed the past four is a game time decision and may be able to play this evening, bolstering the Sixers front court to an extent. Both Andre Iguodala and Lou Williams are coming into this game hot after great performances at home against inferior opponents. Iguodala is coming off his first triple-double of the season while Lou continues to lead the Sixers in scoring pretty consistently on a game to game basis.
The Magic are somewhat of a difficult match up for the Sixers as they have strengths where the Sixers have weaknesses. The Magic possess a big man who will dominate the game if you don't have a front court that can stop him. Tonight the Sixers front court will be very thin and have a tough time stopping Howard in the paint. They also shoot the three ball very well, especially their forwards. Both Ryan Anderson and Hedo Turkoglu can stretch the defense and knock down threes, meaning Iguodala and Brand will have to defend the three ball with more concern than normal. If there is a major weakness in Brand's game right now it is the fact that he can't get out to the top of the key and defend guys like Anderson and Turkoglu. It should be a very interesting game and one that goes down to the wire.
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