Key Game Tonight for Sixers
Everyone! Make sure you track the Sixers progress from now on and see if they can step it up to TAKE that final spot in the playoffs.
Monday, April 10, 2006
By CELESTE E. WHITTAKER
Courier-Post Staff
The 76ers enter tonight's home game with the Washington Wizards tied with the Chicago Bulls for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Faced with a crucial must-win situation on Saturday night, the Sixers actually got the job done. They easily defeated the Bulls 89-75 in Chicago, snapping a three-game losing streak and winning for just the fifth time in the last 18 games.
Washington (39-37), which is in fifth place in the conference, is 2-1 against the Sixers this season, with the Wizards dominating both games on their home court and losing to the Sixers 119-113 at the Wachovia Center on March 3. That was the Sixers' fifth win in six games, but a one-point loss to Indiana two days later was the start of a woeful 4-13 stretch.
Sixers guard Allen Iverson had 47 points and 12 assists in the last meeting with Washington, while Wizards star Gilbert Arenas had 33 points.
"It's going to be a big game,' said Iverson after scoring 39 points on 12-for-29 shooting in the win on Saturday. "We'll go into the game with some momentum."
It's unclear whether starters Chris Webber (lower back strain) or Kevin Ollie (right quad strain) will be available tonight. Both sat out Saturday's game, although Webber actually warmed up before deciding he couldn't go.
Steven Hunter, who had not gotten in the previous two games, started in place of Webber and finished with nine points and nine rebounds. Samuel Dalembert had 14 rebounds and 12 points in the win.
The Sixers (35-41) split the season series 2-2 with Chicago, but still trail the Bulls in the second tiebreaker, conference records. The Sixers have a 19-27 conference record; Chicago has a 24-22 conference mark.
Four of the Sixers' final six regular season games are against playoff teams, including tonight, Wednesday (at New Jersey), Friday (at Miami) and April 18 (vs. New Jersey).Share THIS!!!: 
Monday, April 10, 2006
By CELESTE E. WHITTAKER
Courier-Post Staff
The 76ers enter tonight's home game with the Washington Wizards tied with the Chicago Bulls for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Faced with a crucial must-win situation on Saturday night, the Sixers actually got the job done. They easily defeated the Bulls 89-75 in Chicago, snapping a three-game losing streak and winning for just the fifth time in the last 18 games.
Washington (39-37), which is in fifth place in the conference, is 2-1 against the Sixers this season, with the Wizards dominating both games on their home court and losing to the Sixers 119-113 at the Wachovia Center on March 3. That was the Sixers' fifth win in six games, but a one-point loss to Indiana two days later was the start of a woeful 4-13 stretch.
Sixers guard Allen Iverson had 47 points and 12 assists in the last meeting with Washington, while Wizards star Gilbert Arenas had 33 points.
"It's going to be a big game,' said Iverson after scoring 39 points on 12-for-29 shooting in the win on Saturday. "We'll go into the game with some momentum."
It's unclear whether starters Chris Webber (lower back strain) or Kevin Ollie (right quad strain) will be available tonight. Both sat out Saturday's game, although Webber actually warmed up before deciding he couldn't go.
Steven Hunter, who had not gotten in the previous two games, started in place of Webber and finished with nine points and nine rebounds. Samuel Dalembert had 14 rebounds and 12 points in the win.
The Sixers (35-41) split the season series 2-2 with Chicago, but still trail the Bulls in the second tiebreaker, conference records. The Sixers have a 19-27 conference record; Chicago has a 24-22 conference mark.
Four of the Sixers' final six regular season games are against playoff teams, including tonight, Wednesday (at New Jersey), Friday (at Miami) and April 18 (vs. New Jersey).
