Toronto heads into Philadelphia on Wednesday trying to snap a five game losing streak against a 76ers team that has been struggling since the all-star break. It may help Toronto that since the break the Sixers are 3-7, including 0-3 at home. But the Raptors attempt to break into the win column may be more difficult if they are without Andrea Bargnani. The big man who has been averaging 21.3 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per game on 48 per cent from the floor, did not take part in practice this morning as he was back at the hotel with flu like symptoms and it will be a game time decision as to whether he plays.
Similar to Toronto, the Sixers made a coaching change in December as they replaced Maurice Cheeks with Senior Vice-President and General Manager Tony DiLeo. Philadelphia has played well under DiLeo amassing a 21-17 record since his insertion as coach with part of the reason being its style of play. With Elton Brand out for the season after should surgery to repair a torn labrum, and forging ahead with his rehab, the 76ers have reverted to the style that made them successful at this point last season when they closed with a solid run to make the playoffs.
The marketing slogan this season in the city of brotherly love is: Run With Us. Great if you're a spectator; but just beware if you are an opponent as the up-tempo style has served Philly well. The Sixers are the number one fast break scoring team in the NBA with Andre Iguodola leading the charge as the fourth leading scorer on the break from an individual standpoint.
Canadian Samuel Dalembert would like to have some more playing time but right now is more interested in wins above all else. Dalembert is also getting instruction from former Sixer great Moses Malone. Maybe the Raptors could use some of big Mo's advice and, "Just get mean."
Speaking of Malone, Philadelphia will honour the 1982-83 NBA champions as they will "run one more" at the old Spectrum, just across the street from the Wachovia Centre on Friday night against the Chicago Bulls. The floor at the Spectrum is being refurbished to make it look exactly the way it did in the title season.
Lamar Odom was suspended by the NBA for one game after the altercation following Trevor Ariza's flagrant foul on and subsequent ejection on Rudy Fernandez in Portland two nights ago. Needless to say, General Manager, Mitch Kupchak was not happy.
The economy is currently more than just a consideration in every NBA city. In the "Heartland of America" there is chatter about all the money being lost by the Indiana Pacers, and owner Herb Simon says that it just can't continue. Could the Pacers be on the move? In Detroit, the Pistons are feeling their fans economic pain and are going to cut all ticket prices by at least 10 per cent. Sacramento is following the pattern established by many NBA teams by freezing or slashing ticket prices. The Kings will cut season ticket plans by as much as 44 per cent in some instances.
