Gail Burton - AP

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Update: Lou is playing.

Tonight's game could have an enormous impact on the Sixers' future. With 15 games remaining and the 4-10 lottery spots separated by a total of 3 games, every loss is crucial. One loss could be the difference between drafting a role player and drafting the face of your franchise. One loss could be the difference between 10 years of mediocrity and 10 years of championship contention. One loss, could be the difference ... 

That's where tonight's game comes in. Of the 15 games remaining for the Sixers, tonight's is easily the most winnable. They face the league's worst team (maybe of all-time), at home, fully rested -- while the Nets play the second of a back-to-back, without their best player (Devin Harris). All signs point to a Sixers win, but wait.

Check out the three games the Sixers and Nets have played this year:

Sixers 82 Nets 79

Sixers 97 Nets 94

Sixers 83 Nets 79

For whatever reason, the Nets play the Sixers tough -- with only 10 total points separating them this season. All three games were without Devin Harris. Note: The Nets also went 4-0 against the Sixers last year.

And more good news for our tanking dreams: It looks like the Sixers be without Thaddeus, M16 and Lou Williams tonight. I'm really hoping for a Green, Meeks, Carney, Kapono, Smith lineup at some point. 

I don't know if you guys have any superstitions, but if you do, please bust 'em out for this game! We need a loss, badly.

Go Sixers!

Bonus: Here are the chances teams 4-10 in the lottery have at landing a top 3 pick (WTF):

4th - 38%

5th - 29%

6th - 22%

7th - 15%

8th - 10%

9th - 6%

10th - 4%

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NetsDaily

Frank Franklin II - AP

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Mike Bourn is running late. He's just now leaving Tyrone Hill's house. They were recording a song for their new album, 'Rone and Me - in stores April 20, 2010. Or he's just stuck in NYC traffic; I can't remember.

Anyway, this is one of the most important games of the season for the Sixers - a rare must lose. Losing is the only chance the Sixers have at WTF (Wall, Turner, Favors). The good news is, the Knicks aren't tanking because their pick is owned by the Jazz. But according to Rodney Carney, the Sixers aren't tanking either. Wink, wink. I think you fooled 'em RC.

I predict the Sixers win this one and shatter my dreams in the process, but a little back-and-forth via Twitter with my boy, bandwagonknick gave me a glimmer of hope. He reminded me that the reason the Knicks won their last match-up with the Sixers was because they went to a "college-zone" and forced the Sixers to shoot from the outside. I don't see why that wouldn't work again, and since D'Antoni seems to know what he's doing, I expect he'll do just that.

Plus, Bill Walker owns.

Update: No Lou Williams (back spasms) or M16 tonight (knee).

Go Sixers!

Posting and Toasting

Kevin Rivoli - AP

"Ma, I'm on the TV!"

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Though I'm writing this the day before, it is not hampering my rectum-tightening excitement for this game Selection Sunday.  Joy, heartbreak, excitement, pain.... it's like seeing the opera performed by Greg Gumbel.  For free!  I plan on filling out my own bracket before the Selection Committee comes out with theirs, so we'll see how I do compared to ol' Joe.  I recommend @DerekBodner does the same so we can compare penis size after the fact.  Also, join our Liberty Ballers March Madness Pool For Pride (LBMMPFP) at CBS Sportsline.

What'd you say?  Oh this is a Sixers blog?  I had no idea.

Sixers/Heat.  I predict a huge loss in light of how well (well?) they played against the Cavs.  Still impressed by 'Dre and hope he brings it again tonight, but I think the letdown of losing to LeBron despite Cleveland's lack of effort will result in another ping pong ball.  By the time you see this (I'm going all visionary here, don't piss yourself douchebags Lost fans <-- sbnation better not "expletive" that, I was referencing the cleansing device), the Wizards, Pistons, and Knicks will have beaten the Magic, Hawks, and Mavs (respectively).  And tonight (tomorrow for me) Indiana is at Milwaukee and Sacramento hosts Minnesota!!!  That's like money in the bank (Tanner whatchu drank?). 

(NEXT DAY UPDATE: Some of these things happened.  Oh and Tanner's got the recap tonight, treat him nice and click on his linkies)

Eh-knee-way, go Heat, go college basketball, and go Jay Bilas's comments about everybody's tremendous wingspan.

Out.

Jeffrey Phelps - AP

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I almost pulled the 'ol 'LeBrons @ Sixers' in the title, but the Cavs are much more than just LeBron now -- they have Iced Tea West.

Anyway, tonight should be pretty excited. For all the folks rooting for losses, this is as guaranteed as it gets. Instead of worrying about the Sixers pulling off a miracle win, you can just sit back, watch the most exciting player on the planet (besides Evan Turner), watch Jrue Holiday develop, and celebrate either a Wizards or Pistons victory. If the Knicks beat the Grizzlies tonight the will Sixers will move into a three-way tie for the 7th worst record.

Weird prediction: Jodie Meeks scores 10+ in the fourth quarter.

Serious statement: If the Sixers beat the Cavs I'll take all the blame for the jinx.

Rick Havner - AP

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Another important game in terms of lottery implications. Even though the Bobcats are a playoff team, they are terrible on the road this season (8-23 as opposed to 23-8 at home). But both teams are playing the second of a back-to-back, so in the infamous words of KG, "Anything is possssible!!!"

Three things interest me tonight:

1. Jrue Holiday's development
2. How the team will react to this
3. The possibility of seeing Michael Jordan in torn jeans

Chris Young - AP

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Go team.

Winslow Townson - AP

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Update: Brand will start ... 

The Rondo-Holiday matchup should be interesting. 

This is also the first game I'll be able to watch live. Join me if you can stomach another loss.

Here's what our lottery friends are up to tonight:

Pistons @ Cavs

Knicks @ Raptors

Bucks @ Wizards

Kings @ Mavs

Pacers @ Nuggets

Thunder @ Clippers

Go team.

CelticsBlog

Michael Perez - AP

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Another day, another game, another loss?

I'm going to attempt to track the man-to-man defense again.

Here are the updated lottery standings:

And games of interest:

Pistons @ Knicks (YES!)

Wizards @ Bucks

Kings @ Rockets

Pacers @ Trailblazers

Suns @ Clippers

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Peachtree Hoops

Jeff Lewis - AP

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Update: Elton Brand is out. Thaddeus will start.

This season is probably the worst I've endured as a sports fan. Most of you have been right here with me, so no need to write another thousand word 'whoa is me' rant. With 58 games in the books, I'm ready to wrap it up and move to the off-season. Unfortunately, we can't just fast forward through the last 24 games, so we have find something to keep us interested. Right now it's the lottery standings:

Tonight we play the Magic. I see another loss in our future. Normally I'm excited to see how Jrue does against the opposing point guard, but Jrue Holiday v. Jameer Nelson doesn't really do it for me. I don't know what excites me -- if anything -- about tonight's game. Maybe how Speights does if he plays against Howard?

I'll be watching on DVR, and it's the perfect game (no homework, don't have to wake up early, nothing good on TV, etc.) to track things like Jrue and Lou's defense, so i'll do just that. If you're interested in anything else, like how many contested jumpers Iguodala takes, post your requests in the comments. Just make sure any requests are in by 4:30.

Also keep an eye on our lottery friends: Knicks @ Cavs and Jazz @ Clippers.

Happy Tuesday.

Go Sixers.

Visit Orlando Pinstriped Post.

LM Otero - AP

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Is there any question who's going to win this game? Again, all I want to see is how the Sixers starting lineup does against the Lakers, and maybe a 20-point fourth quarter from Lou Williams.

Here's who our lottery friends play tonight:

Jazz @ Kings

Clippers @ Suns

Pistons @ Nuggets

Knicks @ Wizards

***

I don't see us gaining any ground on the Clippers or Pistons, but the Knicks and Wizards play each other, guaranteeing a win for one of them. And don't count out the Kings at home.