76ers earn return to Miami
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76ers earn return to Miami
The 76ers have only delayed the inevitable, but on this Sunday afternoon, it's important to note exactly how impressive today's 86-82 victory over the Miami Heat actually was. Never mind that the Sixers were down 6 points with about 1 minute, 30 seconds remaining. Never mind that this game had all of the makings of Game 1 and Game 3: the Sixers failed to score a field goal beginning from about 6:35 remaining until about 1:22 remaining.
The most impressive part of this win was that it came on the shoulders of three young guys: Evan Turner, Jrue Holiday, and Lou Williams. Just think how depressing this off season would have started if it began by getting swept out of the playoffs by Miami and with Turner looking like an iffy prospect. If this game had never happened, we'd have no clue as to some of the things Turner can do in crunch time. For example, taking the ball to the basket (even if he did get blocked, he wanted the ball and tried to make a play), hitting a crucial baseline runner, and knocking down both free throws at game's end.
We're not going to sit here and tell you that this is a renewed series now. We all know it's not. The Sixers will go out on Wednesday night inside Miami's AmericanAirlines Arena and give it their best shot, but the Heat are too talented to lose four consecutive games to the Sixers. So let's mine today's win for all its worth.
1.) Jrue Holiday is legitimate. He didn't even play all that well today. He was having a tough time finishing inside and hitting from the outside, but he made two of the most important baskets of the game. First, his baseline drive in the fourth quarter was unbelievable. He took off from the right baseline and then in midair swooped under the backboard and finished on the left side of the basket, spinning the ball smartly off the glass. With about 45 seconds left, he hit a step-back three pointer that set up Williams' game winner from the top of the key. When Holiday released that shot, I actually expected it to go in, which is a weird feeling when considering how you'd usually feel when a Sixer releases an outside shot. But Holiday has proven an ability to make some outside shots when it matters. Even if it hasn't led to previous victories, Holiday knocked down those two three pointers in Game 1 and a few more important baskets that kept the Sixers involved in Game 3.
2.) Turner has a number of things he must work on this off season (keeping his weight down, getting stronger, improving his outside shot, focusing on what Doug Collins needs from him), but it's going to be much nicer for him going to the drawing board knowing he can produce this kind of game at the professional level. Turner was not scared. Also of note, Thaddeus Young jumped to his defense in the first half when Miami's James Jones shoved Turner. Young clearly had the rookie's back and that makes you understand exactly what kind of team Collins has built this season.
3.) It wasn't a terrible thing that Andre Iguodala was saddled with foul trouble for much of the second half. He did a great job in the first half, but you got the sense his jumper had disappeared and he wasn't going to accept that fact until he'd missed some crucial shots for the Sixers. But the Sixers weren't even forced to navigate that reality. Instead, Collins was free to play Turner/Williams/Meeks/Holiday for much of the fourth quarter.
Today's game was as challenging mentally as it was physically, but the Sixers maintained their belief that they wanted to return this series to Miami. Even when down 82-76 with 1:22 left in the game, they kept fighting hard.
The Sixers made it clear the last two days that they wouldn't roll over for this Game 4. I think it's important to acknowledge that this win, while not signifying that the Sixers will contend for the NBA Championship next season, validates that everything Collins has been saying is true: his guys believe in what he says and they believe in each other.
Sixers are practicing tomorrow at 1 p.m. at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. They'll practice in Philly on Monday and Tuesday, then fly to Miami on Tuesday afternoon. If you want to follow on Twitter, getting instant updates, please click here: Deep Sixer.
--Kate
Each week, Kate will check in from the road and answer fan questions about the Sixers. Click here to ask Kate a question or e-mail her at kfagan@phillynews.com.
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- Typical JonKap trying to create misery on this board.
— Manok - First "The Sixers have only delayed the inevitable", your not even a real fan and you dismiss this great comeback win. i can write a better article, i am from philly, i am a diehard and support all four teams (eagles, sixers, flyers, phillies) in that order. i love watching the thad young fight, kid sticking up for his boy e.turner also showed balls. the sixers take it one game at a time, anything is possible. GO SIXERS— DonovanMcNabb
- You're the best, Kate. Keep doing a great job.— CrotchetyOldMan
- First, no need to attack the beatwriters; they are not supposed to be fans, and I doubt that the nitwit who signs himself DonovanMcNabb could write a bitter piece, when he cannot even write intelligent posts. Second, great to see Turner get meaningful minutes for a change, although he probably would not have gotten them had Iguodala stayed out of foul trouble. Seeing Williams, Holiday, and Turner carrying the load down the stretch was so much better than watching Iguodala firing up bricks.— chuckw
- That opening line was clearly an opinion Chuck. Fan or no fan, that line was her viewpoint not fact.
- I disagree with your first post, I just dont like the negative propraganda coming from Philly Daily News, it starts with the writers to build up hype, momentum and positive energy for the team. for the beat writer to write them off, that was out of line and i had to react. i agree with your second and third points. — DonovanMcNabb
- Good win. Nothing more.— wordsword
- To the negative poster, first off Rod Thorn is now running this team and secondly nobody in the organization thinks they are there. Have you listened talk during the playoffs and say "we don't have enough talent". Rod Thorn was on the FAN this week and said they are proud of how Doug has gotten the most out of this group, but they need to add more talent. Nobody is fooled on this board, but we do appreciate the effort that this team brings and the fact that they didn't quit.— Mattb
- a true philly fan is never off the wagon.3 wins today. Sixers, Flyers Phillies.Philly town is never down. GO SIXERS— sophwill
- @McNabb: LOL— BlackFeet01
- @BigVil: yo, my man, been wanting to talk to you. I've been looking into the Morris Brothers from Kansas, and I like both of them, particularly Markieff. Do you think that either of them will be available in the draft, and if so, what do you think our chances are, of management grabbing one of them?— BlackFeet01
- I Saw a mock where Markieff was going 15. I would like to see the Sixers grab him. I would trade Speights to Houston for Thabeet. I read that rumor trade Brand to OKC for Aldrich and Collison. I know, why would they do that with Ibaka playing well but anyway I would do that in a heart beat. Then try to position myself to get Kevin Love. Somehow we need to the Wolves GM's judgment impaired enough to take Igoudala, I'm thinking a little flunitrazepam.
- Great pull out win for the team. This will be a tremendous building block for them especially the young guys Turner, Holiday, Young and Lou. Glad to see Turner have another good game. This will bring much needed confidence for him coming this offseason and next season.
Anyone notice the offense was more fluid in the 3rd qtr when Iggy went to the bench for foul trouble? When Iggy came back in the fourth and tried to get his offense going, the team stalled. Tremendous team effort and keep it goin for the next game.— Manok
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
