No one expected the 76ers to come out in the season opener against the Heat and basically punch the two-time reigning champs in the face. Before the game, Allen Iverson, the greatest Sixer of the last 30 years, officially retired, marking a new era of the franchise. The Sixers, a team that was supposedly the worst in the league, certainly did not come out looking like a franchise in a rebuilding year against the consensus team to beat. This Philadelphia team proved they will not just lie down and lose even if they were built and expected to do just that.
The Sixers first points of the season fittingly came from their rookie point guard, as Carter-Williams stole the ball and finished the breakaway with a dunk to spark his amazing debut. Evan Turner was a huge part of the run to begin the game and looked like the 2nd overall pick he should be. He DUNKED OVER LEBRON, not the other way around! The Sixers started the game on an unbelievable 19-0 run and at one point led 23-2 while going 10 for 10 from the floor. The influence of coach Brown was felt in his first official quarter as coach. The Sixers attacked the basket found the open man for three's instead of settling for the mid and long range 2's that Doug Collins' teams loved. Philly led 33-14 at the end of the 1st. The Sixers played solid defense and took advantage of turnovers. The D-wade-less Heat came back in the 2nd quarter, as they took care of the ball and as the Sixers cooled down. Miami had a 14-0 run at one point while being led their bench. Philadelphia led by 2 at the half.
Miami took their first lead of the game with 8:33 left in the 3rd quarter as they caught fire from beyond the 3-point line. Even though their shots wouldn't fall like in the 1st, the Sixers would not throw in the towel. They were active on defense but on many occasions over-rotated, leaving a man open beyond the arc. Ray Allen hit a half court shot to end a 45 point quarter for Miami and Sixers entered the final quarter trailing 94-85.Philadelphia cut the deficit to 3 multiple times in the 4th before finally taking back the lead after a three pointer and transition layup from Hawes with under 2:01 remaining. After a miss by LeBron, MCW was fouled while fighting for a rebound but would only make 1 of 2 free throws putting them up 110-108 with 27.5 seconds left. Turner was fouled after a missed three from Battier and capitalized, making both FTs to stretch the Sixers lead to 4. Miami missed 2 threes but got offensive rebounds and put it in on their 3rd try and cut the Sixers' lead to 2 with 9 seconds left. After the intentional foul off the inbound, MCW showed his confidence and drained both foul shots to secure the win 114-110.
Philadelphia did what they needed to and controlled the start and end of the game. They held Miami to 30 in points in the 1st and 4th quarter combined, compared to the 80 points they allowed in the 2nd and 3rd. The 76ers had huge games from Turner and Hawes scoring 26 and 24 points respectively on very efficient shooting. But the surprise star of the game was undoubtedly Michael Carter-Williams. The rookie played like a superstar, scoring 22 to add to his 12 assists and 7 rebounds. His rookie-record breaking 9 steals were 1 away from giving him a triple-double in his debut. And even though it was one game, MCW proved he could play through the nerves like an all-star in his first game against the big, bad Miami Heat. LeBron led the Heat with 25 points and 13 assists and Bosh had a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. This game should get everyone excited about the future of this team under Brett Brown. The Sixers play the Wizards Friday.
By: Matt Ryan
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
Miami took their first lead of the game with 8:33 left in the 3rd quarter as they caught fire from beyond the 3-point line. Even though their shots wouldn't fall like in the 1st, the Sixers would not throw in the towel. They were active on defense but on many occasions over-rotated, leaving a man open beyond the arc. Ray Allen hit a half court shot to end a 45 point quarter for Miami and Sixers entered the final quarter trailing 94-85.Philadelphia cut the deficit to 3 multiple times in the 4th before finally taking back the lead after a three pointer and transition layup from Hawes with under 2:01 remaining. After a miss by LeBron, MCW was fouled while fighting for a rebound but would only make 1 of 2 free throws putting them up 110-108 with 27.5 seconds left. Turner was fouled after a missed three from Battier and capitalized, making both FTs to stretch the Sixers lead to 4. Miami missed 2 threes but got offensive rebounds and put it in on their 3rd try and cut the Sixers' lead to 2 with 9 seconds left. After the intentional foul off the inbound, MCW showed his confidence and drained both foul shots to secure the win 114-110.
Philadelphia did what they needed to and controlled the start and end of the game. They held Miami to 30 in points in the 1st and 4th quarter combined, compared to the 80 points they allowed in the 2nd and 3rd. The 76ers had huge games from Turner and Hawes scoring 26 and 24 points respectively on very efficient shooting. But the surprise star of the game was undoubtedly Michael Carter-Williams. The rookie played like a superstar, scoring 22 to add to his 12 assists and 7 rebounds. His rookie-record breaking 9 steals were 1 away from giving him a triple-double in his debut. And even though it was one game, MCW proved he could play through the nerves like an all-star in his first game against the big, bad Miami Heat. LeBron led the Heat with 25 points and 13 assists and Bosh had a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. This game should get everyone excited about the future of this team under Brett Brown. The Sixers play the Wizards Friday.
By: Matt Ryan
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
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