Sixers Look for Quick New Year's Redemption Against Warriors

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OK, the Sixers really should have won that game last night in Utah. They
were playing an 0-2 team without last year's leading scorer Al
Jefferson, and they got up 13 in the second quarter, looking like they
were gonna pull away like they did in Phoenix. But the Jazz fought back
on what felt like 20 straight foul calls drawn by Devin Harris, and then
used their size advantage down low to pound the Sixers into submission,
with center Derrick Favors (who, lest we forget, the Sixers passed on
to draft Evan Turner in 2010) having maybe his best game as a pro with
20 points (10-16 shooting) and 11 rebounds. Meanwhile, the Sixers failed
to capitalize on a number of opportunities late, including missed free
throws, missed wide-open threes, and a missed tip-in by Spencer Hawes
with seconds to go that could've tied the game. Guh.

Luckily, the Liberty Ballers play again tonight in Golden State with a
chance to erase the sour memories of last night and beat another team
that they should be very able to beat. The Warriors are an improved team
under new coach Mark Jackson, and winning at Oracle Arena is never
simple when that crowd gets going, but they should be without leading
scorer Monta Ellis, and with a limited Stephen Curry due to a sore
ankle. It's by no means a sure W—the Warriors did win the other night
against the Knicks without Curry—but it's the sort of game the Sixers
really should be winning if they want to show that they deserve to be
taken seriously as an improving team in the East. And nobody wants to
start the season 1-3, right?

Anyway, tough as last night's loss was, it wasn't without its positives.
After looking rusty the first two games of the season, Jrue Holiday was
his usual bad self last night, scoring 22 points on 9-15 shooting
(though again, he was passed up in favor of Lou Williams when it came to
taking the potentially game-tying three), and Spencer Hawes continued
his strong play with 16 points (on 7-9 shooting, showing a much-improved
outside touch) and 13 rebounds, marking only the second time in his
career (and the first time during his tenure in Philly) that Hawes has
grabbed double-digit boards in three straight games. Tonight, though,
we'll need stronger performances from our second unit, including
Thaddeus Young, who scored nine points but grabbed just a single rebound
and missed some open shots, and Evan Turner, who was fairly dreadful in
18 scoreless minutes of play.

9:00 tip from Oracle. Would've been nice to start 2012 with a winning
record, but now, we'd just like to not enter the new year two games
under .500. Please?

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