The Sixers head into the All-Star break feeling pretty good about themselves. They've won four in a row and 14 of 18 to take a 27-24 record into their five days off. The Sixers are forcing turnovers, getting out on the fast-break, rebounding the ball and their half-court offense is better than it was earlier in the season. And they're getting contributions from everybody coach Tony DiLeo calls upon, which is normally nine guys.
"I think right now people are seeing we're out there with a purpose, having fun," said guard Willie Green. On the other hand, the Sixers came into the season with hopes of being a 50-win team after signing free agent Elton Brand on the heels of going 22-12 to close out 2007-08. They had trouble incorporating Brand, who is out for the season with a torn right labrum, into the up-tempo style, which ultimately cost Maurice Cheeks his job on Dec. 13.
The schedule becomes a little tougher in the final 31 games, which contains only 13 more home games and 18 road games, including a five-game Western swing in seven nights with opponents such as the Lakers, Suns and Trail Blazers. They kick off the second half Tuesday at Indiana.
For the Sixers to have a decent chance at advancing in the playoffs, they're probably going to need to earn at least the fifth spot, which would allow them to avoid the Celtics, Cavaliers and Magic in the first round (they currently hold the spot via three-way tie-breaker over the Pistons and Heat). That means they would have to finish ahead of at least two of these three teams -- Detroit, Miami and Atlanta -- and in front of all three if they want home-court advantage in the opening series.
Going 17-14 would give the Sixers 44 wins and perhaps the No. 5 seed. It's possible the ceiling could be a little higher, but the schedule and the difficulty of continuing to perform at this level would make doing so an accomplishment.
"One of our goals is to improve every game," DiLeo said. "Defensively, we think we can sharpen up our rotations and play better individual defense. On the offensive end, we're been concentrating on (limiting) turnovers and executing in the half-court." SIXERS 91, GRIZZLIES 87: The Sixers closed out a 5-2 homestand by dispatching Memphis. They improved to 17-11 at home by forcing 23 turnovers, shooting .514 from the field and getting nine points in the final 2:14 from Andre Iguodala.
Andre Miller led the Sixers (27-24) with 24 points, with Iguodala adding 18 and Thaddeus Young 12. They were able to overcome a season-high rebounding deficit of 43-26.
