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 Pretty predictably, the final 102-110 W in Golden State came after a night of many runs, blown leads, crazy plays.
To be 100% honest with you, I don't like much these kind of games, that's not my ideal type of basketball.
It can be fun in stretches, yes, but old asses schoolers like myself at the end of the day can't be entertained by all the extra small lineups, transition threes, long jumpers with 20 seconds on the shot clock etc etc.
Good for Sixers (22-34, .393) that they held off the Warriors and avoided another memorable collapse.
They saw a 24-point lead (64-88, 2.58 left in the 3rd) cut to three (92-95, 5.10 in the 4th, then 102-105 with 40 seconds to play), but Williams closed the game with a long three as the shot clock was expiring (in the pic, his reaction after the shot) after a nice possession in which Brand from the low post dished out to Holiday in the corner, and Jrue made the extra pass for Lou.
The hot shooting by Williams in the final quarter (11 points) was a key for the win, together with some clutch plays by Iguodala on both ends of the floor down the stretch.
THREE ANSWERS
1) Yes, "it was only the Warriors", exactly, and they were missing six players (!!) including former Sixer Raja Bell, Wright, Maggette, fellow serbian Radmanovic, Randolph. So the lesson to learn here is "Let's not get carried away"...
2) Yes, Brand played an awful fourth quarter: his stat line was 0/4, to go with zero rebounds and one turnover. Add to this that he didn't grab a single rebound in the second half (while had 8 points + 5 boards in the first).Another disappointing night after a promising start, with a quick 3/3 in the first quarter.
3) No, I couldn't believe my eyes when Williams hit one from behind the arc at the start of the third quarter, extending our lead to 48-69: it was Sixers' seventh three, on ten attempts !!! Things turned normal soon, as we missed the following five... (more after the jump)
THREE QUESTIONS
1) Will we see Iverson in a Sixers' uniform again? This is uncertain as he has to take care of his daughter. I really, really hope that whatever problem it is, she gets well soon, and definitely. All my thoughts go to her and Allen's family. This is bigger than basketball, as they say.
2) Is Speights starting to learn a couple of things about boxing out? Apparently yes. Even remembering that all stats in a Warriors game are somehow inflated, eight boards in ten minutes of action are good anyway.
3) What's the best thing to take from this game? I'd say Holiday's defense on Curry, his lefthanded dunk in the first quarter (terrific, he took the last step way behind) and Lou's efficiency.
REASONS
Why we won the game
Didn't lost composure when Warriors got close, and executed well. Golden State had early foul troubles and Nelson played his usual, crazy super small lineups: Biedrins got only 9 min, and I have no clue why.
To be optimistic
The first half was a good one, and Carney's lift off the bench (14 at the break) was highly appreciated. In absence of anything resembling defense by the Warriors, Sixers scored 66 first half points and reached 90 at the end on the third.
To be worried
Iguodala and Williams were basically the only Sixers to score in the fourth: Sam made a free throw at the beginning of the period and Carney another couple when the game was already over. Between those trips to the line, everyone else sucked offensively: Sixers shot 0/7 to start the fourth, with the first made field goal, a fallaway jumper by Iguodala, coming with 5.30 to play.
I saw a lot of rushed shots that only helped the Warriors' comeback, getting the crowd back into the game. Some really dumb decisions there.
Sixers are getting ready to take on the Suns as I'm typing this. It's gonna be another fun game, I hope.
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