Milwaukee loses again, Sixers close to playoff berth
The Indiana Pacers defeated Milwaukee on Thursday, dropping the Bucks to 29-33 and three games behind the Sixers for the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.
Milwaukee loses again, Sixers close to playoff berth
Bob Cooney
It's getting close to the point of not wondering if the Sixers are going to make the playoffs, but who are they going to face.
The Milwaukee Bucks fell to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday, 118-109, its third-straight loss and dropping them to three full games behind the Sixers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Sixers (32-30) and the Bucks both have four games remaining.
Each of the Sixers' remaining games are on the road: Saturday at Indiana, Monday in New Jersey, Wednesday in Milwaukee and Thursday in Detroit.
Milwaukee will host New Jersey on Saturday, Toronto on Monday and the Sixers on Wednesday before finishing out its season at Boston on Thursday.
Should the Sixers clinch that spot, they will face either the Chicago Bulls or Miami Heat. Chicago's lead in the Eastern Conference dropped to 1.5 games over Miami Thursday as the Heat beat the Bulls, 83-72 . In order to win the East, Miami would have to win out and Chicago would have to lose to a divisional foe. That would give Miami the second tiebreaker if the two teams finished with the same record. The first tiebreaker would be negated as the teams split their four meetings this season.
The Bulls (47-16) have just three games remaining, hosting Dallas on Saturday, at Indiana on Wednesday before hosting Cleveland on Thursday.
Miami (45-17), which beat the Sixers in five games in the first round of the playoffs last season, has four games left. The Heat wil host Washington on Saturday and Houston on Sunday before finishing out the season in Boston (Tuesday) and Washington (Thursday).
Should the Sixers make the playoffs the challenge that will await will obviously be a daunting one. While Miami has owned the Sixers over the past few years, Chicago has proven to be an interesting matchup. But the way the Sixers are playing right now, losers of 13 of their last 20, there is no matchup against any Easter playoff team that would be in the least bit favorable.
Comments (43)
Classic Chuck "reign of error"... If we had half a season to gain some momentum I would say there is some hope. This mess falls in Collins lap. We can talk about killer instinct but when is the coach going to will call a play and have the team execute it. The lack of post ups is a glaring issue. He coached Jordan one of the best post up guards ever. That should be their bread and butter. Those pre-Eddie Jordan teams scrapped their way to the playoff. They were hungry. This team has no hunger. They don't have fun. If we were all getting paid to do something we love you would think we would be having the time of our lives. They look beaten. The internal issue need to be resolved.— BigVilFromWestPhil- This comment has been deleted.— alphamale
- Excellent observation — bearsfriend
- chuck:glad you finally got on...missed you the past 2 days, although I read your fine post last night (7:26?)...While we're all wondering if Mayberry Jr. will go to a 4rth new batting stance of the season this weekend, I'm wondering if DC goes with LaVoy, or returns to Nik Vucevic against the Pacers Saturday...I agree with CChere that the Pacers are REALLY dangerous come playoff time, as they mix size and physicality with strong 3 point shooting and a sensational bench....Do you believe Jrue will get similar looks that he had in the last game, or doies Vogel switch attention off Lou onto Jrue?...Gotta keep focus one game at a time...get better, one game at a time...Hawes is the key, he has to keep getting better..He's getting closer.— bearsfriend
- Will not get into our usual debates over the backcourt, but in the grand scheme of things, Eddie Jordan's reign of error has skewed everyone's vision. Five seasons ago, this team, with some of the same core, finished 41-41, lost first round of the playoffs, then four seasons ago, they finsihed 40-42, lost first round of the playoffs. Then Eddie Jordan took the same team and led them to 27 wins. Last season, the Sixers were back to 41-41, lost first round in the playoffs, and this season will finish either 2 or 3 games over .500. Thus in FIVE seasons they have improved by 2 or 3 victories, and have many of the same problems they have had during those five seasons. Moreover, they are not "limping" into the playoffs, but rather "crawling." This is not the 20-9 team and has not been for quite some time. They are 12-21 down the stretch, and yet folks here are thinking they will take the Bulls in seven games, against a coach who I would argue can coach rings around Doug Collins, a coach who kept the Bulls going toward the top seed without Derrick Rose. What magic have the Sixers shown in half-court games against good defensive teams? Teams like the Bulls and Heat, and even the AARP Celtics and Spurs, live for the playoffs. Can the Sixers win a game in the first round? Yes. Can they win two games? Highly unlikely. Can they win a series. NO!!! I have followed this franchise longer than anyone on this board, I would wager, and wish them the best, but I am tiring of seeing them as little more than first round playoff cannon fodder.— chuckw
- LouWill and Holiday all day long. I'd go to war with the 2 of them, we need offense and they get it done together. Get me a sniper to come off the bench with Turner and get me a beast inside.— Cole_World
- I don't think the Bulls will hold that top spot. Mentally prepare for Miami. Hope for the Bulls. ANTICIPATE CJ WATSON STARTING IN THE PLAYOFFS WITH ROSE!. Not Rip. If rip starts run him out of the gym. V Miami Focus on scoring 100. WE ARE NOT GOING TO STOP THEM IN A HALFCOURT GRIND! PRESS and SPRINT lebron and wade out of the gym. Wade and Bosh look heavy. VERY HEAVY! Battier, James jones, mike miller, Howard, dexter Pittman, eddy curry, Joel Anthony can run but not a threat on the offensive end count him. That leaves wade, james, chalmers, Norris and bosh. Get rid of wade and James. KEEP PRESSING 94' and SPRINTING until both are OUT OF THE GAME! Eric Spoelstra was quoted "we gotta find a way to match that speed". Collins look at the names above. THEY CAN'T! IMPOSSIBLE! Lebron and wade can't go 48 min at that pace. At a hagler v hearns pace. Hearns didn't last 3 rounds. Hagler dictated the pace AND MAINTAINED IT until tommy fell. Hearns hit him. Miami will hit us. NO QUESTION.! But hagler REFUSED TO LET UP until hearns hit that canvas. At the opening tip don't meet at the center meet them on THEIR SIDE of the time line. They want a fight give it to him. James jones and wade acted up last night. Jones was thrown out of the game. Wade threw rip out bounds. Jones did it v us last playoffs. Speed the game up jones miller or chalmers never gets their feet set or balanced for a shot. If you sneeze on Shane and he's off balanced he will miss. 48 minutes of hell. WHO's IN SHAPE! WHAT DID YOU DO DURING THE LOCKOUT! Find out. Run. Finding you shot is one thing a the season progresses is one thing. Being in TOP shape is another.— combocancer1975
- That would be a shame after watching the Sixers struggle so these past 3 weeks...The slumping Bulls are the dangling carrot that they best get. — bearsfriend
- Sixers will beat the Bulls in 6. Mark it down. Ironic that I would make such an outlandish prediction on 4-20.— Bobby V
- Holiday and LouWill matchup well vs a gimpy D-Rose and an old gimpy Rip. The Bulls have a small PF so EB and Thad won't be overwhelmed. Despite how they limped into the playoffs I think the Sixers can compete vs Bulls. The Heat, well that's another story...— Cole_World
- The Bucks got worse since adding Ellis
joecooler: ur stats are flawed because teams play more players in blowout wins.
peas in a pod zeru, blah and villian. Same old same old
As long as the Sixers play the best combo, Holiday and Lou Williams over 30 mins/game thay have a shot vs the Bulls. They got no shot vs the Heat.
— OG - Well, I see you missed my point, and are choosing to make your own. I said this season missed opportunity for development. Turner and Holliday could have been developed.
I like Lou Will. I think he is great in the position he is playing currently. I don't believe you are going to get any more value from Lou starting him and playing him over 30+ per game. He is going to tire and be taken advantage of defensively.— blah - blah:many are with you on this opinion, but on what basis I have no idea...My point is, as DC has thrown paint on the wall 20 different ways this season, starting Lou Will and utilizing him on the ball is the ONLY thing he HASN'T done...The closest was when Jrue committed thos 2 early,lay turnovers against the Kings in the Winter, and Lou came in and ran pass first PG en route to a really clean game...To me, with this roster,ET coming off the bench, playing with Jodie, would ensure him much more time with the ball in his hands to boot. — bearsfriend
- Didn't we already try Lou Williams as a starting guard? Seemed he lacked a little something. Again, I think it's because he's too short and he loses some of his effectiveness if he goes 35 minutes per night. It takes away his ability to score because he gets tired legs. And again he can be taken advantage of defensively.
Now, if the idea is to use Lou as a PG while DEVELOPING Holliday as a Shooting guard, I am not opposed to that per say. Especially if it also is meant to develop Turner as a PG as you mentioned. Eventually though you are going to have to see how Turner and Holliday play together as a backcourt.
— blah - That's what I am talking about...and Lou only started a handful for EJ pre broken jaw....He has matured into a different player..>While DC says he's fearless, I''m not buying that a bit...Lou had his minutes shaved last year if a turnover,bad shot, or defensive lapse ensued...To me he has become a steadying force and an on court leader to a degree...I don't believe in the word "development" for a #2 pick who has average over 26 mpg and has gone over 40 like 5x, but I do agree to find out everything possible about him, so having him on the floor with the ball (not with Iggy, who demands it, or Lou, who is better with it) paired with Meeks or Sam Young would have made sense...to me at least. — bearsfriend
- I think we can all agree on a few things. 1. LouWill is the only Sixer that other coaches gameplan against. 2. Jrue Holiday has the entire skill set to be a pg 3. Turner has no range on his jumper 4. Holiday performs better with Lou or Jodie on the floor. 5. It's obvious blah has never played or coached basketball at any level.
- LOL...if my LSAT was formatted this way, I'd have a seat first row like that other high powerd attorney sitting next to th eopponent's bench at WFC...I also enjoyed your post last week regarding lineups with the top 5 scorers being passe, as if it were still "middle school". — bearsfriend
- Sleepin you are in the minority with the belief that Holliday is better suited for the PG than the SG. So I can't be that crazy. — blah
- Reading is fundamental! I said he has the skill set to be a pg meaning he has more of the physical tools...ballhandling, quickness, can penetrate and has a jumper with range. It remains to be seen if he can put it all together. Turner's high dribble and lack of jump shot means he lacks certain pg skills
- I don't even believe its the players. I don't think that there needs to be a drastic a drastic change in philosophy. Just post up the guards!!!!! Good things will happen by posting up Jrue, Evan and Igoudala. That will make the other teams adjust. Posting up the guards will lead to a lot of open looks for Thad, Brand, Hawes and Vuc. You can pack the paint because our bigs can shoot... If Collins can't see that then there really is no reason to watch our team be run off the floor.— BigVilFromWestPhil
- Bear I can appreciate your optimism but what part of the Sixers game can you point to and say this is winning basketball. The have to play the perfect game to beat any of the teams ahead of them. That mean under 7 TOs. They can't afford to be out rebounded. They have to get to the line and make FTs. This team is as lost a leaf in a hurricane... Never mind the fact that Collins doesn't allow this team to play to their strengths... I will have to burn my keyboard if i give the Giants any praise. But they rallied and played winning football. But those weren't seven game series. But stay positive. The funny thing I used to be that guy on these boards. This is the first time I have even seen my team not look hungry.— BigVilFromWestPhil
- You say one thing here that is so true...and that's a dereliction to playing "winning" basketball...While both Iggy and Jrue have vastly improved their perimeter shots, while Thad has improved somewhat his halfcourt offensive play with his 15 footer, while Hawes experienced good all around play pre-Achilles, while Lou has become a gem in ball security while still being potent,while ET has shown glimpses of gamechanging play...the Sixers have not put together perfomances...But I do think it's the players...they lack decision making late in games, physicality in a consistent screen game, and an ability to fend off physical rebounders...Their late game rotations against the elite teams have been killing them...There's no TRUE shotblocking presence (despite EB's penchant for it), and players that all too often settle for jump shots....But MAKING the playoffs,the experience of playing in games when they really count, is way more important than deciding between Terrence Jones or John Henson....Regarding Collins, while I've enjoyed the improvement in valuing the ball, I too can't stand some rotations, and hate overpassing, using shot clock and ending up with the WRONG guy taking the shots...As up and down as this season has been, it still will end with improvement over last season's .500 record...While many want the whole thing turned over, I feel real production from 4 and 5 could let them take the next jump ahead....That being said, I still would rather see the 3.2 dunks a game Faried has averaged this season. Sorry for the excessive rant. — bearsfriend
- bearsfriend your assessment of the individual improvements are dead on. Unfortunately individual improvement doesn't always lead to team improvement because of the combinations on the floor. Holiday plays well with Meeks be wise Meeks doesn't want the ball and let's Jrue do his thing. Holiday plays well with Lou because they've learned to play off each other...I dribble, you shoot, you dribble, I shoot. Holidays game completely disappears when playing with Turner. The lack of a true inside presence and having players that can't or don't play well together are the main reasons this is not a "winning" team
- They mind as well make the playoffs. They blew this season as an opportunity for a developmental season. Even during the good start, it was apparent that Jrue was better suited for the SG spot. They could have had 40+ games with the possible backcourt of the future. Instead Doug had to 'teach' Turner something in that Orlando win.
The only salvageable thing in this season now is to get a little more playoff experience, hopefully against the Bulls.— blah - It was only apparent to those who see the world thru Turner colored glasses. The rest of us either think he's a pg or are reserving judgement.
We have proven that LouWill's stats blows Turner's away in similar minutes so I won't repeat myself. Here's a project for you. Compare Turner to his peers, other young guards who play similar minutes. Look at scoring, assists to turnover ratio and PER. Kemba Walker, Goran Dragic, George Hill, Ramon Sessions and Isaiah Thomas. They're all outperforming your boy and aren't getting any more playing time. - Perhaps you were sleeping yesterday when the majority of the board agreed that Holliday is best suited for the SG role. What you refuse to grasp is because we think Holliday should be at the 2 does not mean that we are saying Turner will be an All Star. We don't know what Turner can be, because Doug has done a poor job of developing him.
As for Lou Will, as I said in another response, I really like him in his current role. MY only criticism of Lou Will has been that he is not a go to guy at the end of a game.
You really need to stop telling other posters what they think and actually read what they post.— blah - How many shots does lou take per game again? and comparing stats to turner's isnt the biggest issue its why isnt he used correctly and when pressure games are on why is one of your best rebounders on the bench in favor of meeks or lou. the point is you made an investment in him period. he should b out there and being put as the future wit Jrue because of that.everyone knows who lou and iggy and brand is we need to know who evan and jrue are and are they something together. turner colored glasses got nothing to do wit it. i tell you what you go buy a luxury car and start drag racing in it and then take it back to the dealer and tell them it aint handling like you thought it would.. see how that turns out bro! — Phillyphan@27
- PP@27:It's about pt off shots taken...Lou hits 3s and scores from the FT line at a pace that dwarfs ET's, in addition to a team leading and near league leading assist to turnover ratio...He, like ET, plays much better with the ball, and has had to sacrifice his improving all around game to embrace his role and DC's scheme...If we came down to Earth from Mars in July, 2010...and had to pick out the league's #2 draft pick, I doubt highly it would be Evan Turner...Sorry. — bearsfriend
- Unfortunately we didn't buy a luxury car we overpaid for a Hyundai that has lemon written all over it.
- By now the Sixers should be showcasing two Young players as their future. Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner. They would win just based on the team defense alone. Iggy is already established as a glue guy who doesnt mind playing the background. The NBA would also showcase the two in commercials when describing the Sixers season which in essense would give the team an identity and two players the rest of the league would have to respect in regards to getting calls and fouls. Instead Collins opted not the allow his best most promising players flourish while promoting inconsistent veterans who wouldnt be starters anywhere else. And in Andre's case a high priced role player. By going down the road for two years Collins has doomed his team to his own coaching ability that has proved to be lacking just watching his lineup decisions alone. LIke another poster pointed out he had Don Reid playing over Theo Ratliff before Larry Brown saved his career. And Richard Hamilton was one of the best midrange game players in the league. Coming off screens and everything. Isnt that the game Doug wanted Turner to have? Dude is a basketcase. It would benefit Ownership to make a quick coaching move before it starts to mess with their money. Because bottomline is when you develop your young players and stars it generates national and media attention. And you can do that with a guy who wants to showcase a role player thats paid like a superstar and a post player that is 2 years away from taking Doug's old job at espn.— Zeru
- Villain and ET:I'm aware of the differences between other Pro Sports and the NBA...but to miss the playoffs to have the bottom rung in the lottery is not going the alter the positioning of talent on this roster...that will happen with free agency and trades to balance the roster out(as well as making a good selection no matter where they pick)...Question: if the SIxers had the same roster this year, but had Tyson Chandler instead of Spencer Hawes, what would their record be right now?...Having a good friend pretty close to the situation at Villanova in 1985, there is no way I would ever advocate missing out on a playoff or a tournament...If they were,the Cleveland,New Orleans, or Washington, I'd be all for maxing out ping pong balls, but not in this case...Go Sixers.— bearsfriend
- Cosigning Villian— Zeru
- Cosigning Villian— Zeru
- Zeru - Exactly. Why are Evan and Jrue not playing together? They need to learn they will learn. We know Jrue likes to shoot and is good at it and we know Evan likes to pass (barely took 5 shots the past few games) and is good at it. They don't even have to define the positions just go out and play. If they are losing but developing like they should have done last year and this year we might have been players in the really good lottery with a chance to get a difference maker as well. I am not saying Turner is going to be this amazing player but he can definitely be a top guy on a winning team because of his skill set.— The Villain ET
- @Bear.. Unlike the NBA the NFL isnt "as" fixed. The NFL promotes their teams more so over individual players. So if you work hard, compete and get lucky you might be able to pull it off. But in the NBA playoffs Stern goes arena to arena guaging attendance. Its not the same. Thats why most teams in the NBA are so fixated on getting a star player. Because actual basketball and team play is not how you win in this league. You need a player the league respects in regards to Jersey sells in order to be successful. Thats why most posters are so upset with Collins because Turner has the talent to potentially be that player for us.— Zeru
- Bears - You always have good analysis but come on this is the NBA...in football, baseball and even hockey a hot team can win it all. However, the Sixers aren't a hot team and they can't win one or more 7 game playoff series.
Also, Miami is closing the gap and only 1 and a half games behind the Bulls...that would be tragic if we get the 8th seed and Miami is there.— The Villain ET - I just sat down and ran stats of wins and losses depending on how DC uses the depth of the team. I think it's telling that when he uses depth they win games. When he doesn't they lose. They are 1-3 when playing 8 players or less. 11-18 when playing 9 players. 10-5 when playing 10 players. 8-1 when playing 11 players. 4-2 when playing 12 players. 1-0 when playing 13 (I think Hawes was injured in a game and somehow they got 13 players according to the 76ers schedule & stats). The bigger number to go by with how they play best is that they are 10-5 when playing 10 players and 8-1 when playing 11. If DC wants to go by numbers there you go. Quit playing 9 players and GO DEEP! This is supposed to be a deep team. Use that depth! Of course the numbers would change the more often they play but I'd go with what works. Play a 10 player or 11 player rotation. Get Battie-Sam Young-LaVoy in the game at least a few minutes a game. It allows Iguodala-Brand-Hawes etc to rest and come in fresh. Playing 9 players explains why they have fallen off as the season progressed with them being 11-18 with 9 players. Never play them less than 9 with a 1-3 record. For a guy who micromanages how can he miss those glaring numbers? Knowing DC and how coaches have to follow a system of shortening rotations the 76ers won't have much of a chance if they play 9 or less come playoff time. He's gonna run Iguodala-Brand-Jrue into the ground and probably rely on his glue guy to play way too many minutes. I hope for the best but expect the worst...— joecooler2u
- Get the eighth spot and catch a Bull or Heat team with a key Injury and overconfidence = a first game win = home court advantage = happy Sixer fans for a minute = you never know....
Win Saturday!— philsix6 - David West-with NO last year--indys glue--shoots an EB shot 15 ft in jumper--went 21-14 and 7--it was a game of runs and he was the stopper. Lets see what kind of energy the sixers come with Sat.Its theirs to win or lose.
— HO HUM - The Sixers will get in, and they have to have short memories with all good thoughts going into Saturday...they've played well the last two games, and now they'll face the Pacers again, a team that shot lights out on them Tuesday. Hibbert is their Goliath, but who will be our David?...— bearsfriend
- way to fall bass ackwards in to a playoff spot. They deserve to be swept. Unless for some unknown reason the intentionally planned to get the eighth seed this season is a failure.— BigVilFromWestPhil
- Didn't the Giants slip into the playoffs this Winter?...And the Cardinals last Fall?...We all know the inevitable fate, but your only as good as your last game..They've played better the last two games...shooting,sharing the ball...even a pulse again with Hawes.It's not like the Sixers were so good at WFC anyway...Even if they were a 4 seed, they'd have to show up to win in the playoffs anyway. They still have 4 games to right their ship...compete...and play hard. (That's the best Kotite I can do). — bearsfriend
- Just win on Saturday. Then discuss Monday. Then......By the way, start Sam to defend. Jodie isn't scoring anyway
— philsix6
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About this blog
Bob Cooney has been at the Daily News for more than 20 years, working in the sports department for the past 15. This is his third season on the Sixers beat. He has covered just about everything, but mostly college basketball, where he was the La Salle beat writer for six seasons. E-mail Bob at cooneyb@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter.
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