The key play in this game was when Roy didn't attack the rim at the end of regulation. Sixers have this one in the bag.
Clear of what? The standings will likely fluctuate down to the last day. No team can take a night off.
They definitely battled. If the Blazers pulled it off, I would have said the same thing. Great games from Oden, Rudy, Blake and Aldridge on the Portland side.
This Sixers are up and down. You never know what they will do. If they played most games like tonight, they would challenge the top 3 seeds in the East. I can see them giving the Celts or Magic a good challenge in the first round if they stay focused.
IMO teams like the Hawks and 76ers can get away with their playing style because of their athleticism and mentally sound PG's. Years of being bottom dwellers stockpiling on young talent doesn't pay off unless you have a big time decision maker. Portland would be nothing without Roy even if Blake kept playing out of his mind. Andre Miller and Mike Bibby know how to take big shots or find someone who can, and they are underrated floor generals down the stretch. This is one of the main reasons Alston was never firmly "in" as a Rocket.
The game between Sixsers and Blazers was really physical; lots of contacts, but no whistle. Roy had been crying fouls on him on a couple of positions, but did not get it. This will be the way playoff games are going to be called. If you are going to the basket, you have to prepare for absorbing some physical contacts; refs will not easily bail you out unless if you are KB, DWade or King James. Yao, RonRon, AB, Kyle, ScolAndry have to be prepared ...
Now that helps, now we can gain a bit more ground if we win this huge game 2morrow. GSW are going to give the Spurs problems. Timmy's knee isn't right and Spurs can't let the GSW play at their pace. But oh how sweet it will be to beat the Jazz to maintain the second seed.
