This is it folks, the end of an era. 82 games of Eddie Jordan, and I feel like I've endured Chinese water torture for approximately 30,576 consecutive hours. It's been real. Sometimes it's been fun. But I can't say it's been real fun. I wish Eddie and his sexy new teeth nothing but the best, and tonight I'll say a couple prayers for the fans of the next team he graces with his presence (and his chalk talks) with.

What happens during the course of tonight's game is essentially meaningless, as long as no one suffers a serious injury. The outcome, however, could have a slight impact on the lottery odds, and my pre-season prediction. First of all, if the Sixers win tonight's game they'll finish only 20 games off my pre-season prediction of 48 wins, which would be quite the accomplishment. Second, the Sixers could either finish tied for sixth worst record, in sole possession of the seventh, or tied for the seventh -- ranging from an 18.25% to 12.5% chance of landing a top 3 pick. Here's what we're rooting for tonight:

1. A Magic win.
2. No serious injuries.
3. A Pistons win.
4. A Clippers win.

The Sixers need a loss in the worst way. A win pretty much destroys all hopes at a top 6 pick, and puts the 7th in jeopardy as well. The Sixers must, lose, out. With that in mind, tonight's game absolutely terrifies me.

The last time the Sixers and Bucks met, the Bucks were 15-2 since trading for John Salmons, and 8-0 at home. So what happened? The reeling Sixers went into Milwaukee and absolutely destroy the Bucks, from start to finish. Tonight the Bucks come into Philadelphia, without arguably their best player (Andrew Bogut), playing a team who they matchup terribly against. 

I wish I could come up with logical analysis, but I can't. Will we see the Sixers team who were blown out by the Pistons, or will we see the team who played the Heat tough? Will we see the Bucks shoot 40 percent -- including 5-28 from three -- again? I have no idea. 

You could make the case that the Bucks have nothing to play for at this point. They're virtually locked into 5-6 seed, scheduled to play either the Celtics or Hawks in the first round, without home-court advantage. I guess going into the playoffs on a high matters, but I'm holding out hope that they remember the beatdown the Sixers laid on them a few weeks ago, and come out with some fire.

I'm also hoping we see a lot of Jason Smith, Jason Kapono, and fellow scrubs. The Jrue v. Jennings matchup would normally headline this game for me, but it's completely secondary at this point. A loss really is, all that matters.

As far as the lottery standings go, just know that the Sixers need to lose out -- not only to have a shot at anything top 6 -- but to maintain sole possession of the 7-spot. The Clippers might not win another game, and they're only half a game back of the Sixers. A Sixers win would be crushing. 

Brew Hoop

Needless to say, this is a big game.  The past few days have been jarring, from Phillies opening day whooping of the Nationals to the Donovan McNabb trade to Dook beating Butler in one of the best National Championships in history.  And the Sixers couldn't be any less exciting if Buzz Killington was starting at point. 

Anyhow, thread it here for what stands to be the worst game of the season.  Detroit's lost 11 in a row and holds a 3 game deficit lead on us.  I want 40 minutes for Jason Smith. That should seal it.  Let's rock.

Win or go home. There is no tomorrow!!!! LET'S DO THIS! I'm off to watch Rocky III.

The difference between a 3-1 series lead and a 2-2 tie is monumental. The Sixers were placed in this same scenario last year, and took a 10-point lead into the locker room. Whether is was complacency, experience, or sheer talent, the Pistons came out in the second half and dominated the Sixers for the remainder of the series. Will history repeat itself? I hope not.

A win tonight would be huge, huge, huge. The Magic would be against the ropes, the "experts" heads would explode, and Hell would freeze over. Let's do this!

If you need a little extra pumping up this morning here ya go:

Iguodala

Thad

Zumoff

One thing I failed to mention in my recap was how good the Philadelphia crowd sounded on TV. Even though the game wasn't sold out, the fans who were there made up for it. Let's get a repeat performance shall we? "Reggie, Reggie, Reggie!"

Let's do the thang Sixerland! Shock the world!

Forget everything else -- this is all that matters right now. We're seven hours away from the biggest game of the season. It's make or break for the Sixers. Which team will show up? Which crowd will show up?

Throw out all the stats and history. This game's going to be about adjustments and execution. The team who executes their gameplan more effectively will win the game -- simple as that.

1. Don't double Dwight.
2. No uncontested threes.
3. Less than 20 minutes for Bill Green.
4. Bench production.
5. No foul trouble for Sammy and Theo.
6. Energy, energy, energy.