Sixers Celtics Game 3 Preview

The Sixers hung on to win game two by a final of 82-81 and in the process knotted the series up 1-1.  Tonight the Sixers will look to continue their success in front of their home crowd and to go up 2-1 in the series.  Here are the keys to a game three Sixers' victory.

4th Quarter Defense
In games one and two, the Sixers struggled to hold off the Celtics in the fourth quarter.  The Celtics' veterans were able to fully come alive in the final quarter, and the Sixers had trouble defending them.  Tonight the Sixers have to clamp down in the final quarter.  They can't go into cruise control late in the game and hope to win.  They have to be at their best defensively in the final minutes.

Build A Bigger Lead
No matter how big of a lead the Sixers build, the Celtics will inevitably make a run.  Tonight, if the Sixers have a 6 point lead heading into the fourth, they could lose.  But if they are able to build a 10-15 point lead after the third, they stand a much better chance at winning.  The Sixers are a very good third quarter team.  They outscored the Celtics 21-11 in the third quarter of game two, and they need to have another strong third tonight so that they have a large sustainable lead heading into the fourth.

Spencer Hawes
Hawes has had a pretty solid series so far with 15 points in game 1, and 8 points in game two.  But I would still like to see Hawes be more of a factor, because it seems like when he's hot the rest of the Sixers' offense benefits greatly.

Home Court
I'm expecting a lot of energy from Sixers fans tonight.  Sixers fans were completely alive and electric after the Sixers knocked off the Bulls in round one.  Tonight, they need to come with that same energy and propel the Sixers to victory once again.

Right now the Sixers are proving that they have the ability to make it to the Eastern Conference finals.  They just have to play consistently and not let their foot off the gas.

Sixers Celtics Game 2 Preview

On Saturday night the Sixers definitely proved that they can hang with and beat the Boston Celtics.  The Sixers seemed to be in control for much of game one, but essentially ran out of the steam at the end and the Celtics' veterans took over.  Tonight the Sixers have a great opportunity to even the series.  Here are the keys to a Sixers' victory tonight.

Continue To Push Tempo
The Sixers were most successful in game one when they pushed the ball in transition.  Instead of forcing the half court offense, the Sixers did a very good job of utilizing their speed and athleticism to generate easy shots in transition.  The Sixers need to continue to increase the tempo of the game tonight.

Stop KG
The Sixers gave Kevin Garnett way too many open looks on Saturday night.  Garnett went 12-20 from the field good for a game high 29 points.  The Sixers need to double up on Garnett and make somebody else beat them.

Defense
In the fourth quarter on Saturday it seemed like the Celtics hit a switch and started knocking down shots.  Rondo, Pierce, and Garnett all seemed to heat up at the same time and as a result the Sixers lost.  The Sixers need to buckle down on defense especially when the fourth quarter comes around.

Elton Brand 
If Elton Brand doesn't pick up his game, the Sixers will lose this series.  Brand was just 2-5 from the field with 4 points in game 1 and the Sixers need to get him involved.  Collins needs to run more pick and rolls with Brand and also just think of ways to get him open looks.

Focus On Split
The Sixers can't be thinking about what will happen in future games of this series.  The Sixers have to be fully focused on getting the split and bringing this series back to Philadelphia 1-1.

Overall I was very impressed with the Sixers' effort in game 1.  They played with a lot of heart in front of a very hostile environment.  But the Sixers can't be satisfied with just a good performance.  They have to be hungry to win, because they definitely have the talent to eliminate the Celtics.

Sixers Celtics Preview

After knocking off the Chicago Bulls in round one, the Sixers will get set to take on the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semi-finals tonight at 8 PM.  Game 6, and all of the first round for that matter, was unbelievably emotional and intense.  The first round was ultimately capped off by Andre Iguodala who knocked down two clutch free throws to seal both the game and the series for the Sixers.

While the first round was certainly entertaining, the Sixers know their work is far from over.  They have a great opportunity to take down a very beatable Celtics team and return to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2001.

When I say that the Celtics are beatable I mean that the Sixers were fairly successful against them during the regular season.  On March 7th, the Sixers defeated the Celtics 103-71, and then beat them again a few weeks later by a final of 99-86.  But on April 8th, in the final meeting of the regular season, the Celtics crushed the Sixers and won by a final of 103-79.

It's hard to tell much from the season series between the two teams especially when you consider the fact that the Celtics are a veteran team that can flick a completely different switch in the postseason.  The Celtics won the championship in 2008 and they definitely know what it takes to win in the playoffs.  

But again the Sixers know that they can beat the Celtics and they know they have a legitimate shot at moving on to the conference finals.  Season series aside, what else do the Sixers have to do to beat the Celtics?  Here are just some of the things the Sixers need to focus on in the upcoming series.

Increase The Tempo
Let's face it the Celtics are an old team.  Ray Allen is 36, Kevin Garnett will turn 36 during the series, and Paul Pierce is the youngster of the Big Three at age 34.  The Celtics can't keep pace with a young and athletic team like the Sixers.  The Sixers need to get out into transition and really increase the tempo of the game.  If they get stuck playing in the half court they will lose this series.

Defensive Roots
The Sixers were successful against the Bulls when they focused on playing good solid team defense.  The Sixers need to again focus on playing team defense against the Celtics.  Hawes and Brand need to hedge out on their guards, and they need to double up on Garnett.  They can't let Garnett get easy one on one matchups.  They need to help each other out and slide down and collapse on the ball whenever possible.

Elton Brand
Brand was bad against the Bulls in round one, plain and simple.  Brand's scoring lines for round one go as follows: 19,12,0,7,5, and 5.  Brand started out the series pretty good but then became more and more of a non-factor as the series went on.  Doug Collins needs to look for ways to get Brand more involved offensively.  They need to get him clean open looks and he needs to start knocking down shots.

Stay Hungry
The Sixers can't be satisfied with just making it to the second round.  Although knocking off a number 1 seed and advancing to the second round for the first time since 2003 is impressive, the Sixers need to keep their eyes focused on what lies ahead.  Like I said before they have a very good opportunity to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals.  But if they lose that hunger this will be a very quick series.

Play With Confidence
A lot of people are putting an asterisk next to the Sixers' round one victory over the Bulls.  Although the Sixers became just the 5th team in NBA history to knock off a number 1 seed, many people are quick to point out that the Bulls were without Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah for a good amount of the series.  While the injuries to both players were certainly unfortunate, the Sixers can't control who gets hurt.  All they can do is go out and play against the five guys the Bulls put out on the floor.  The Sixers did just that and they came away victorious.  In the next round the Sixers can't play like a team that doesn't deserve to be in the second round.  The Sixers do deserve to be there and they need to play with confidence against the Celtics.

Evan Turner
Turner once again showed flashes of brilliance in round one against the Bulls.  Turner averaged close to 13 points against Bulls and really seemed to take charge at times.  In the Sixers' 103-71 victory over the Celtics during the regular season, Turner had 26 points and was 11-19 from the field.  Turner needs to continue to attack the basket and play with confidence in the upcoming round.

Overall this is a very winnable series for the Sixers.  I think that this will be an extremely tough and grind out series but ultimately I think the Sixers will win it in 7.  Below is the complete schedule for the series.

Game 1: Sat. May 12, at Bos., 8 p.m.
Game 2: Mon., May 14 at Bos., 7 p.m.
Game 3: Wed., May 16 at Phila., 7 p.m.
Game 4: Fri., May 18 at Phila., TBA
Game 5: TBA at Boston***
Game 6: TBA at Philadelphia***
Game 7: TBA at Boston***

***If necessary.

Flyers Devils Game 5 Preview

Game 2 was painful.  Game 3 was even more painful.  And Game 4 on Sunday was perhaps the most painful game of the entire series.  After an unbelievable round 1 victory over the Penguins, the Flyers were flying high.  They had confidence and swagger and everyone was predicting them to absolutely steam roll the Devils.

But now the Flyers find themselves down 3-1 and on the brink of elimination.  To make matters worse, tonight the Flyers will be without the services of Claude Giroux who will be serving a 1 game suspension for his hit in game 4.

So can the Flyers win tonight?  Can they force a game 6?  Can they claw their way back into this series? Here is what they absolutely have to do tonight in order to prolong this series.

Play With More Energy
All series long the main theme has been to play with more energy and intensity.  Tonight the Flyers have to walk the walk and not just talk a good game.  With Giroux out, the Flyers now have even more motivation to come out with fire and intensity.  Somebody needs to step up and get the boys pumped up and ready to win.

Play With Desperation
The Flyers have to pull out all the stops tonight against the Devils.  They can't just sit back and play a conservative game and still expect to win.

Play With Confidence
Tonight the Flyers have to play with confidence.  They have to play with swagger, and play like the team that beat the Penguins.  The Flyers are the better team and they can't play scared tonight in game 5.

Know How To Play With A Lead
When the Flyers get a lead, they don't know what to do.  They sit back and wait for bad things to happen until eventually they find themselves in a hole they can't dig out of.  If the Flyers get an early lead tonight, they have to keep their foot on the gas.

Give Bryz Motivation
Bryz has had very little motivation during this series.  He's faced a ton of shots and on the other end, the Flyers aren't generating enough shots.  It's tough for a goalie to stop a lot of shots and it's even tougher when he has very little motivation and very little offensive production in front of him.

Win It For G
There is no defending Giroux's game 4 hit.  It was wrong, plain and simple.  But was it warranting of a suspension in an elimination game?  G has been the leader for the Flyers all year long and tonight the Flyers need to win the game for him and give him another shot at this series in game 6.    

With all our will, we will.  Let's go Flyers.

Philly Sports Trifecta Preview

Today, the Phillies, Sixers, and Flyers will all play on the same day once again.  The Sixers will host the Bulls at 1, the Flyers will take to the ice against the Devils at 7:30, and the Phillies will wrap up the day as they take on the Nationals in an 8 PM prime time game.  Here is a quick little preview of what to expect today from each game.

Sixers Bulls
The Sixers hold a 2 games to 1 lead over the Bulls and will look to win game 4 and send the series back to Chicago up 3-1.  The Bulls played with a lot of heart in game 3, but ultimately they ran out of gas at the end and the Sixers were just too much for them to handle.  Today the Sixers have to continue to play defense.  The defense was the main reason the Sixers were able to win games 2 and 3.  Also, Joakim Noah hurt his ankle in game 3 and it looks like he will be out for game 4 as well.  The Sixers now have a clear advantage in the paint both offensively and defensively and they need to capitalize.

Flyers Devils
Aside from the second period of game 3, the Flyers really didn't show up.  They got out hustled, out worked, and overall they didn't deserve to win.  Tonight the Flyers have to pick up the intensity.  Right now they are getting completely out played.  They can't get offensive possessions, they can't set up on the power play, they can't clear the puck out of their own zone, etc.  Although games 2 and 3 were very disappointing, I do expect a big turn around from the Flyers today. But the Flyers can't just play well in one period; they have to play a full 60 minutes of consistent hockey.

Phillies Nationals
The Nationals took the first two games of this series and tonight the Phils will look to salvage a game as they send Cole Hamels to the mound against Jordan Zimmerman.  The offense looked OK on Friday night, but they took the day off yesterday as their only run came off a Hunter Pence sacrifice fly.  Tonight the Phils need to give Hamels a lot of run support.

Overall it should be a very interesting day of sports.  I think the Sixers will win another close game, I think the Flyers will win a close game as well, and I don't know what to expect from the Phillies down in the nation's capital.  Ultimately it should be another exciting Philly Sports Trifecta.

Sixers Bulls Game 2 Preview

The Sixers got spanked around in game 1 Saturday, losing by a final of 103-91.  But with the injury of Derrick Rose, this series is now completely different and the Sixers now have a legitimiate shot at winning.  Here is what they need to do to win tonight.

Don't Expect To Lose
In game 1 it almost seemed like the Sixers were fine with losing.  In other words, they seemed satisfied when they could cut the lead to a few points. They didn't really try to take the lead and they just kind of coasted when the game was close.  The Sixers need to be more aggressive tonight and play to win.

Tighten Up On Defense
Part of the reason the Bulls are such a good team is because they play great team defense.  The Sixers need to return to their defensive roots and focus on creating turnovers and scoring in transition.

Attack The Basket
The Sixers settled for too many jump shots in game 1.  Instead of attacking the basket they simply sat back and forced tough shots.  The Sixers, specifically Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner, need to drive to the basket and generate more high percentage shots.

Rebounding
The Sixers are a much bigger team than the Bulls and they need to win the battle on the boards in game 2.  Lavoy Allen, Spencer Hawes, and Nick Vucevic need to body up focus on out rebounding the Bulls.

Focus On Split
The Sixers can't look ahead to any more games in this series.  Just focus on winning tonight and bringing this series back to Philadelphia a 1-1 split.

The Sixers need to play with a lot more intensity tonight.  They can't come out flat and be satisfied with just keeping the game close.  Come out with intensity and play to win.

Flyers Devils Game 2 Preview

Tonight the Flyers will take on the Devils in game 2.  The Flyers are riding high off of their emotional overtime victory and will look to keep the momentum going.  Here are the keys to another Flyers victory.


No First Period Lull
Luckily the Flyers were able to survive a terrible first period on Sunday in which they were out shot 15-6.  Tonight the Flyers need to pick up the intensity in the opening period and come out swinging.

Reemer
JVR was the hero of the 2011 playoffs.  Although the Flyers eventually lost to the Bruins, JVR took over games and showed flashes of absolute brilliance.  In game 2 and in the rest of this series, JVR needs to step up and start playing with more confidence.

Better Power Play
I'm not expecting the Flyers to maintain a 50% power play through out this series, but they were just 1 for 6 in game 1 and that needs to improve.

Bryz
Bryzgalov has to continue to play well.  As long as he doesn't give up any soft goals the Flyers should be fine.

Extended Possessions
Tonight the Flyers need to focus on getting and maintaining better offensive possessions.  Even when they had the man advantage on Sunday they still struggled to get good long possessions in the Devils' zone.

Establish Forecheck
Marty Brodeur is a very aggressive goalie.  He likes to come out of the net and play the puck out of the zone which can be extremely disruptive to the Flyers' forecheck.  They dump the puck in and Marty quickly fires it out.  Tonight the Flyers need to be more aggressive in establishing the forecheck.  Maybe float the puck in to buy more time to get to it, or just skate a little harder to get to the puck before Marty does.

Wild Card
Somebody else has to step up tonight besides G or Briere.  I would really like to see Jagr or a young guy have a big game.

The Flyers have a great opportunity to take a 2-0 series lead.  I really like their chances to win tonight and I think the Flyers will be victorious winning by a final of 5-2.