Keys to Game 2

While I think the Sixers might have "awoken the beast" similar to what they did last year, I think there should still be optimism about this being a good series. I've been going back through games by both teams this year and especially our matchups with them to identify the keys for tonight and a successful series.

1) Limiting outside looks by Turkoglu and Lewis. The Magic have the best outside shooting and we know they like to resort to playing in and out with Howard and their perimeter. In two specific losses to them those 2 combined to go 8-13 and 7-14 respectively from 3-pt range. That was key. Right now, both are hurt with ankle and knee injuries and clearly that has carried over into the playoffs. I can't see either deciding to be slashers so the Sixers need to pay attention to them on the outside and recognize that they can perhaps drive on them and get bailed out by a foul. Guys like Williams, Green, and Iguodala have the speed to drive on them.

2) Dalembert's effectiveness. He needs to stay on the floor and pull rebounds and block shots of guards. I dont' want him racking up fouls against Howard. Leave that to Ratliff and Evans. If Sammy can't stay on the floor, that puts Evans in the middle more (bc Ratliff can't handle all those mins) and he does not block shots the same. Evans in the middle also causes our defense to scramble on pick and rolls which I really think the Magic will throw at us tonight. The Sixers have to hold tight to their defensive rotations and only allow those first two involved defenders to guard the pick and roll. If they get caught and a third has to pick up the shooter they are in trouble because it causes the whole defense to shift and they are weak there (as much as I love them, Young and Speights are particularly weak here but try to use speed to compensate). Then the Magic will know they have a wide open shooter on the floor and have burned us there before. It all starts with Sammy staying on the floor and straight up discipline and hard work because he actually does rotate well.

3) Bench play. We have the advantage here but have to optimize it. Our bench MUST outscore and outplay theirs. Williams needs to get into the lane and make things happen and also get to the line. Marshall must play effective by outscoring what he is giving up on the defensive end (and he can do this because we hide him on defense these days). He must drift to open spots and be ready to get his shot off. Look for him in the corner when we drive and at the bend when we get offensive rebounds. Ratliff must try to put Howard out of position by forcing him to set up 2-3+ feet from where he wants to set up. This will cause him to take extra dribbles to position himself (big men dribbling leads to turnovers) or making him shoot outside his range (and thus not being in position to rebound). We can't have someone like Anthony Johnson or Tony Battie have the game of their lives.

These are just some extra keys. Obviously good games are needed as usual from Iguodala, Miller, and Young. I think this one will be tougher to win but if you can come back from 18 down on the road anything can happen. Also, coming home just having won something down there is incredible.