Sixers go for 7th straight win tonight at New York
A real test awaits the Sixers tonight as they travel to New York to meet the Knicks. It is the final of three-straight games for the Sixers.
Sixers go for 7th straight win tonight at New York
Bob Cooney
There have been some wins during this Sixers six-game winning streak that have left fans wondering if the team is as good as appears or are the opponents that bad.
Tonight the Sixers will face a Knicks team at The Garden that many expected to be one of the elite of the Eastern Conference. The Knicks are 5-4, but have won three in a row after losing consecutive home games to the Toronto Raptors and Charlotte Bobcats.
Carmelo Anthony (26.6 points) and Amar'e Stoudemire (21) lead the Knicks, who have struggled offensively, shooting just 42.3 percent from the floor for the season.
The Sixers have been exactly the opposite with their shooting lately, having made 56.6 percent in last night's blowout over the Sacramento Kings and 50 percent the night before in their win over Indiana.
The Sixers have won five of their first nine games by 20 or more points. It is the first time a team has done that since the 1969-70 New York Knicks. That team went on to win the NBA title.
Here are some things to look for in tonight's game:
*Will Spencer Hawes play? The center did not come back out on the court after halftime of the Sacramento win last night as his already aching back spasmed up at halftime. Coach Doug Collins said Hawes was going to make the trip last night and the team was hopeful he would play. If not, expect rookie Nik Vucevic to get his first NBA start.
*After Stoudemire and Anthony, who else scores for the Knicks? That seems to be a key. Everyone knows that the 2 stars will get their points. Collins knows it also, he just doesn't want them to get "efficient" points, meaning he wants their point totals to add up to about the same number as their shots taken. If that happens, Collins can live with it. The Sixers can't allow the likes of Tyson Chandler, Landry Fields, Iman Shumpert or Toney Douglas to go off on them.
*The play of Elton Brand. Brand had a breakout game last night, posting 21 ploints and 10 rebounds in 25 minutes. He usually takes his game up a notch when going against Stoudemire.
*How fresh will the Sixers be? This is the third game in three nights. The Sixers did get a reprieve last night with the blowout win, allowing Collins to rest most of his key players in the fourth quarter. Still, you have to expect some legs to be heavy. And an up-tempo team like the Knicks doesn't make it any easier.
Tough matchup tonight with or without Hawes. Spencer/Vuc on Chandler leaving EB on Amare on back end of 3 straight. Hold the fort and bring in Thad on Amare.— tudorcity- I say rest Hawes unless its not too serious and even then, have him on a short leash. Its still early and you don't want to risk long-term injury. (And if they can beat the Knicks without him, all the better ;-)— esesjay
- With Baron Davis not ready to begin his Knicks career for a couple of more weeks, and Tonie Douglass not really suited for the point, and Mike Bibby just being too old...the Knocks now have gone to first round pick Iman Shumpert, a really athletic lead guard out of Georgia Tech...This is only his third start, but the early reviews are pretty good...Look for Iggy/Thad to strap up their sneakers tight and pin up to Carmelo Anthony as he massages the ball...Tyson Chandler will be a horse to contend with.— bearsfriend
- After last night's game I dont think the sixers will be too tired. The rested most of the second half, besides, NYC is just a short train ride away. Its not like they are flying to the west coast.— Yakov
- Go Sixers!! Take down the stinkin Knicks— Flyers1971
- Glad the Sixers won't be too tired from last night -- a lot of players only played two quarters. Dre should be rested enough to contain Carmelo. Thad on A'mare. Ultimately the Sixers should win it if their offense is adequate since D'Antoni's teams don't play defense and the Knicks don't have the Sixers' depth. March 21 or whenever the Knicks come to Philly will be more of a match since the Knicks will probably have their rotations etc better established (then again, the chances of Carmelo or A'mare going down with a major injury are probably higher)— Leegles
- Knicks don't play defense so our weakness (lack of set 1/2 court offense) shouldn't be exposed too much. Just have to hope neither Melo or Amare go super-postal (30-40 points ) and we should be fine. Hopefully it's a repeat of last night where Knicks jack up shots like Sactown and one and done where we use the defensive boards to transition to easy offensive buckets. Our real problem is team with big men that play a slower 1/2 court pace - then we'll see. For now, Knicks don't scare me and we should win.— DennyP
- If Hawes doesnt play Chandler will get 20 pts easy. Still though the lack of defense the knicks play will lead to the Sixers getting 114 tonight, enough to win.— Sports4Life
I really should care about such things but I'm getting tired of the lack of respect the Sixers are getting. The play the teams on their schedule. Two loses under six points and a handful of convincing wins. I thought with the addition of a bully of a PF. They could contend for East Conference title. But they may actually do it this season. I don't care who is injured or out on the other teams. The mark of a good team is they beat the teams they are supposed to.- Big V... it's finally starting to happen. Sixers #7 on ESPN's power rankings: http://espn.go.com/nba/powerrankings/_/year/2012/week/2
... Hollinger's power rankings actually has them #1
http://espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/powerrankings
(his approach is more mathematic - think Sagarin - but, nonetheless...— gopherkiddd - Our young legs should be ok ... sometimes it takes 5 minutes to get the 'dead' out, so, we need to avoid getting down big early. Our patented intense shoot-around after halftime should have us plenty warmed up for the third quarter. We need to win this one with our guard and small forward play ... Jrue, Jody, Lou, Evan, and Iggy all need to be at least +10 's tonight. Go Sixers. s'y'l'— gopherkiddd
- If having two all stars was enough to make you good the Knicks would be in first right now. Melo and Mare will get their points- doesnt mean the Knicks will win. And I see Melo working HARD for his points tonight. Unlike the past few years this team can score. If the Knicks want to run, the sixers can do that. If we need to drop 110 to win we can do so.— Yakov
- i'd rather this be a grind it out game. Something like 93-85. I'm most concerned about chandler going off inside and our starters getting off to another bad start. We've had bad starts against bad teams making it easier to come back. Do it again tonight and you're gonna have to get in a shoot out with a coach who loves shoot outs. Not saying they can't win that way but on the third game in three nights i'd rather work them in a slower paced game.— 76ers in 2076
- Nice thing is the Sixers only played half the game the rest of the night. Tony Battie, LaVoy Allen, Craig Brackins, and Andres Nocioni finished the kings off. Chandler isn't a scorer, so look for Vuce and Hawes (if he plays) to help Brand on Amare frequently. The Sixers also have had great coverage on 3s after collapsing to help on big men. I think they win here.— Northeaster
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.
