Sixers v. Magic: The Splits

by Jordan Sams on Apr 16, 2009 5:58 PM PDT in Previews Comment 9 comments

76ers	Points	FG%	Rebounds	Assists	Steals	Blocks	Turnovers
Andre Miller	15.3	39%	6.0	4.3	0.7	0.0	1.3
Bill Green	8.3	42%	1.7	3.0	0.3	0.3	1.0
Andre Iguodala	18.3	37%	7.3	6.3	1.0	0.0	3.0
Thaddeus Young	16.7	47%	2.7	0.3	1.3	0.3	2.0
Samuel Dalembert	7.3	53%	9.0	0.7	0.0	1.3	1.3
Lou Williams	7.0	29%	2.0	2.3	1.3	0.0	1.7

Wow, I had no idea the Sixers have had such poor individual performances against the Magic. 39 percent from Miller, 37 percent from Iggy, and 29 percent from Lou isn't going to cut it in the playoffs.

Bill Green and Samuel Dalembert have actually done their part in the three losses, so it's up to the Andres to step it up. I don't know about you, but the fact that we're relying on the Andres to step up rather than the role players, makes me that much more confident we can pull the upset.

The only other number which stand out is the lack of blocks and steals we've racked up against the Magic. Steals are important so the Sixers can get out and run.

Now let's look at the Magic's numbers against the Sixers.

Magic	Points	FG%	Rebounds	Assists	Steals	Blocks	Turnovers
Rafer Alston	9.7	34%	1.7	6.3	0.7	0.0	2.3
Courtney Lee	9.0	30%	2.0	0.5	0.0	0.0	0.0
Hedo Turkoglu	18.3	45%	6.3	5.7	1.3	0.3	2.3
Rashard Lewis	20.7	45%	5.3	3.0	0.7	0.3	2.0
Dwight Howard	15.7	56%	10.0	1.3	0.0	2.7	3.3
Mickael Pietrus	7.7	47%	2.3	1.0	0.7	0.3	1.7

Bad news: We have yet to see the best of Dwight Howard.

Good news: Lewis and Turkoglu have played slightly over their heads against the Sixers.

And in case you were wondering, here are the dreaded 3-point stats from Hedo and Rashard:

Lewis: 4.3 - 8.7 (50%)

Turkoglu: 2.3 - 5.0 (47%)

Hedo and Rashard have shot nearly a combined 50 percent against the Sixers this season! That obviously has to change, and I will seriously question the Sixers coaching staff if they don't figure out a way to get those numbers down.

Check back for more preview-ish stuff. I'm going to keep it poppin' until tip-off.

Until then...

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Well

Now that Garnett could be potentially out of the playoffs, do you guys feel that we had a better shot getting out of the first round against the Celtics than the Magic? Personally, I think we do. We played them close the other night and if it wasn’t for Paul Pierce magic (I swear I didn’t see him miss a 3 once) we could have possibly won it. I think that the only chance we have against the Magic is when they have bad shooting nights. But that would only net us maybe 2 wins at most. I mentioned the over-aggressive defense before and it will especially kill us against a team that already has amazing behind the arc shooting. Let’s be real here, we had a chance to make…it possible to make….it to the second round against the Hawks. Then we went on a terrible losing streak and blew it. I’m not closing the book on this season already before the postseason begins but I’m going in with low expectations for a team that limped into the playoffs.

by soman319 on Apr 16, 2009 7:39 PM PDT reply actions

Here's my counter.

Games against the Magic: 106-100 L, 96-94 L, 98-88 L.

Notes: The Magic had Jameer Nelson for the 10-point win. And the Magic never shot less than 35% from beyond the arch against us — they don’t shoot bad against us.

Games against the Celtics: 110-91 L,100-98 L,102-78 L, 100-99 L.

Notes: In both close games the Celtics were without Kevin Garnett, but both were in Philly and one was also without Ray Allen.

Avg loss to C’s: 11.5
Avg. loss to Magic: 6

Now factor in that Hedo AND Rashard Lewis are both injured, and the match-ups are pretty even. In the end, I’m glad we got the Magic. Not to mention the fact that the Celtics have much more playoff experience.

Liberty Ballers.com.

by Jordan Sams on Apr 16, 2009 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree

In the playoffs, experience matters the most. I expect the sixers to win at least two games, but hopefully make it a 7 game series. That would be crucial to the team`s confidence for next season.

by jefu on Apr 17, 2009 12:29 AM PDT reply actions

I’m not going to go as far to say I expect it, but I do think it’s very possible that the Sixers win two games and possibly the series.

Liberty Ballers.com.

by Jordan Sams on Apr 17, 2009 6:56 AM PDT up reply actions

Unfortunately...

Here’s the Celtics fan again, with some well-wishes.

Unfortunately, we won’t find you guys in the first round. I say this not because I fear you guys any less than I do the Bulls, but because the past week has made me respect your team a bit more. I love good basketball more than anything and I would have liked to see the matchup between our and your heroes.

So what rests me is to wish you all the best against Orlando. It might just be hell, this first round of yours, but I really do hope you come out on top.

So to all you 76er fans: have fun, & see you in round two.

- Dirk 'DaarisDirk' van Boxtel

by Kiorrik on Apr 17, 2009 1:58 AM PDT reply actions

Everything happens for a reason Kiorrik.

Sorry about KG and Ainge. Good luck against the Bulls. Maybe we’ll see ya in the second round.

Liberty Ballers.com.

by Jordan Sams on Apr 17, 2009 6:56 AM PDT up reply actions

what a nice guy...

but I bet he wrote the same exact thing on the magic blog.

by mopey on Apr 17, 2009 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Nope.

Very sorry to disappoint you sir/ma’am, but I didn’t.

I was honestly looking forward to facing you guys. Though I think the Bulls give us some good resistance as well.

Anyhoo, my love for the game is bigger than the love for ‘my ball club’. So just show us some great b-ball and I’ll be rooting for you guys in this first round ;)

- Dirk 'DaarisDirk' van Boxtel

by Kiorrik on Apr 17, 2009 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions