Philadelphia 76ers Week Long Preview

The Philadelphia 76ers have a full slate this week and have some tough games to play. At 12-12, the 76ers need to win at minimum two of the four games this week. That is a lot to ask for, as the schedule is not the easiest this week. If the 76ers can somehow be above .500 after this week. it will be a very promising beginning to 2013. If not, the Philly fans will get restless as there is nothing else going on in the city after the holidays. At least until mid-February.

Tuesday December 18 AT Mavericks

For the Sixers to beat Dallas, it will boil down to what has been a struggle. The Sixers must defend well. O.J. Mayo leads the way for the Mavs at just over 20 points per game, so Evan Turner will need to lock down Mayo, which I believe he will. Sixers win in Dallas, 97-92

Wednesday December 19 AT Rockets

Linsanity. Jeremy Lin was all we could think about last year, but to beat the Rockets, Lin is not the focal point. Superstar James Harden, who is a bonified scorer will need to be stopped for the Sixers to win. Harden averages 25 points per game and is proving to the NBA that he IS a star. Rockets take this one and Harden puts up 30. 108-98

Friday December 21 vs Hawks

The Hawks are not what they were last year, but they still are a good basketball team, and in fact, may be better than last year. Al Horford is healthy and Josh Smith is still Josh Smith. The Sixers will need to stop the Hawks’ bigs to win. Unfortunately I do not see them doing this and the Hawks roll, 98-84

Sunday December 23 AT Nets

This is a HUGE game for the Sixers. They have to prove they can compete with top flight teams without Bynum, and if they can not, it will be a long year. Brooklyn’s big 3 of Brook Lopez, Deron Williams, and Joe Johnson is nothing to sleep on, as between the 3 of them can carry the Nets to a win. The Sixers will need to score 100 points to beat this team, and I see them doing so. 108-105 Sixers.