People wondered whether this Sixers team was for real.
Even though they lost tonight, I think they made believers out of many of those
doubters. Going down 10 with 9:15 to go, they went on a 13-0 run. They had a
chance to win the game at the end of regulation had Andre Iguodala hit both of
his free throws… he hit just one. Andre Miller, not known for his shooting
beyond the arc, hit three 3-pointers, scoring 28 points, a ridiculous game for
the former Sixer.
The Nuggets dominated the second quarter, but the Sixers
never let up. In overtime, there was a clear blocking foul on Nene that was
called a charge on Evan Turner instead. During a tie game with 55 seconds to
go, you don’t want to be blowing calls like that. Turner could have went to the
line for two go-ahead free throws, but instead, Denver got the ball back and
Miller hit a jumper. The Nuggets never looked back, winning 108-104.
Although the Sixers are no longer undefeated at home,
this loss doesn’t mean they’re a fluke. They battled and never let the game get
away from them. They went up four in the fourth quarter after being down 10.
Thaddeus Young, two days after going 1-8 against the Bucks, scored a season
high 22 points on 11-22 shooting. Turner had a double-double, scoring 20 points
and grabbing 11 boards, one away from his career high.
Center Spencer Hawes did not play, and replacements
Nikola Vucevic and Tony Battie combined for four points and eight rebounds. It’s
safe to assume Hawes would have had better numbers than the two. Jrue Holiday’s
turnover at the end of the game cost them, and the mistake is one he knows he
made. Mistakes like the one Holiday made are the ones that you learn from and
he will surely learn from it.
Although it’s not pretty seeing a loss, there’s still not
much to be upset about if you’re a Sixers fan. They’re 10-4 and 3 ½ games up on
the Knicks. They fought hard tonight, but couldn’t get the W. It’s tough, but
they need to get over it because Atlanta’s coming into town Friday and the team
travels to Miami Saturday to take on the Heat. There are fans complaining about
the lack of media coverage on this Sixers team. If they beat the Hawks, it’ll
be a big win. But if they beat the Heat? In Miami? They’ll get it, and
deservingly so.
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