This Monday edition of “Fo’ with the Foes” — Philadunkia’s advanced scouting series which with the help of an accomplished journalist from around the NBA beat or blog world, previews upcoming 76ers opponents — features tonight’s opponent, the fun to watch and relatively hot Phoenix Suns.

After a solid win over the talented but road weary Utah Jazz on Saturday night, the Sixers take on another Western Conference foe that much like the Jazz, will provide plenty of match up problems for the home team.  Obviously defending Steve Nash will present a number of challenges for the Sixers backcourt.  Back in December Nash lit up the 7-6 for 23 & 15.  Ageless swingman Grant Hill always seems to give this Sixers roster trouble and outside of the Detroit game the other night, Hill is playing arguably the best ball of his recent career (14.7 ppg. & 5 rpg.). 

But it’s Marcin Gortat that we’re especially concerned about in tonight’s contest.  As we all know the Sixers have significant trouble guarding bigs with talent, and the Suns’ Gortat certainly falls into that category.  Additionally, Gortat seems to have found his niche in PHX and he has been rolling of late (see below for stats).  Gortat tore up the Sixers during his time in Orlando and that was in a limited role behind “Superman”, so the thought of Gortat getting 30+ minutes against the defensively challenged Sixers frontline is very scary.  If the Suns are wise enough to run Gortat and Robin Lopez at the same time for extended minutes, the Sixers will be in real trouble.

Despite all of the above challenges, we really like the Sixers chances of securing a win tonight.  Even though the Suns defense is improving, it has not gotten good enough that they can stop the Sixers from scoring — at will.  See the 123 points we hung on PHX back in December as evidence.  If there’s one thing the Sixers can do, it’s get buckets.  That’s especially true if Collins continues to give Louis Williams a long leash.  So trading baskets with the high powered Suns should not be a problem with the Sixers. 

There’s little chance Alvin Gentry will use our above idea and run Lopez and Gortat together for significant portions of the game, so that will help the Sixers bigs hold their own on defense.  With the trio of Brand, Speights and Hawes playing “decently” on that end of the floor, the Sixers much higher ranked team defense (13^th overall vs. Suns 29^thplace ranking) will be too tough for the Suns.  In short, the Sixers defense will come through with several stops along the way and bring home a W for the home team.         

For a little more insight into the Suns team the Sixers face tonight, we turn to our man Michael Schwartz of valleyofthesuns.com  to answer two questions from us here at Philadunkia as well as provide us with two points of analysis on this PXX squad from an insider’s perspective.   

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This edition of “Fo’ with the Foes” — Philadunkia’s advanced scouting series which with the help of an accomplished journalist from around the NBA beat or blog world, previews upcoming 76ers opponents — features tonight’s opponent the Larry Brown-less Charlotte Bobcats.

We’re still reeling mentally from last night’s loss in Orlando and we can’t imagine the Sixers are doing much better.  In addition to the psychological damage done by last night’s loss, the Sixers will also be dog-tired physically coming into tonight’s contest.  The Charlotte game tonight is the second game in a back-to-back road set for the Sixers as well as the third game in four days for the 7-6.  As a cruel bonus to the madness that is the NBA scheduling czars, two of those three games went into overtime.   

In short, we don’t see the Sixers winning this one tonight.  Yeah, we know the Sixers just beat the Bobcats three nights ago.  And yeah we know you could argue that on paper the Sixers are a better team.  However, the NBA grind we mentioned above sometimes just wears a team out and produces a let down game.  Tonight has “let down game” written all over it for Philadunkia’s home team. 

In addition to the “let down game” theory, the naked eye, the stats and the “experts” all say the ‘Cats are playing better ball under new head coach Paul Silas.  They looked solid in their win at Chicago on Tuesday, so they also have a little momentum going for them.  The tired Sixers on the other hand are 2-3 in their last five; are 3-5 this year in the second game of a back-to-back set and 1-3 when that second game is away from the WFC.  Again we think the Sixers fall flat tonight (so take the Cats and give the 3 points), but we hope we’re wrong.  We really do, because this team and its faithful are in desperate need of a pick-me-up.

For a little more insight into the Bobcats team the Sixers face tonight, we turn to our man Brett Hainline from queencityhoops.com to answer two questions on the ‘Cats from us here at Philadunkia as well as provide us with two points of analysis on this Charlotte squad from an insider’s perspective.

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This Friday edition of “Fo’ with the Foes” — Philadunkia’s advanced scouting series which with the help of an accomplished journalist from around the NBA beat or blog world, previews upcoming 76ers opponents — features tonight’s opponent the Brandon Jennings-less Milwaukee Bucks.

There’s really not much to say about the game tonight down at the WFC other then the fact that it’s a HUGE game as we believe it to be an absolute must-win for the 76ers.  Philadunkia’s home team is coming off two of their worst Ls of the year — @ Detroit and vs. Indiana – so Collins & Co. must get the ship righted right now, otherwise this season will go down the toilet! 

You can forget us trying to give you any of the X&O’s or matchups to be exploited in this preview, because we don’t care how the Sixers get a W tonight.  All we want from this squad is for them to come out with some energy and intensity, play tough defense and jump all over this struggling Milwaukee squad (2-4 in January) from the opening tip until the final horn.  Tonight the Sixers need to make a statement – to the fans, themselves and the League — by posting a double digit, coasted home in the 4^th  type of win.  Anything less would be unacceptable.   

For a little more insight into the Bucks team the Sixers face tonight, we turn to our man Jeremy Schmidt @ bucksketball.com to answer two questions on this Milwaukee squad from us here at Philadunkia as well as provide us with two points of analysis on the Bucks from an insider’s perspective. 

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This Tuesday edition of “Fo’ with the Foes” — Philadunkia’s advanced scouting series which with the help of an accomplished journalist from around the NBA beat or blog world, previews upcoming 76ers opponents — features tonight’s opponent Danny Granger and the currently struggling Indiana Pacers as well as a glimpse at the keys to a successful 3 game homestand. 

Tonight’s contest against the Pacers begins the first home stand since December 4th – December 12^th, where the Sixers went 3-1; the lone loss coming in tearjerker fashion against the Celtics on TNT.  The three wins during that span came against staggering opponents (Charlotte, Cleveland and New Orleans). The Sixers find themselves in an eerily familiar situation as they take on the Pacers, Bucks and Bobcats over the next six days.

Calling games in mid-January “must win” is a little over the top.  So instead I like to call these games “Stock Market Games.”  Starting with a W tonight over the sinking Pacers, the 76ers have a chance to rise up to 18-22 inching closer towards the gap the Knicks have created at the six seed with MVP candidate Amare Stoudemire.  Or starting with a loss tonight, the Sixers could potentially tumble out of the playoff picture and rumors regarding trades will intensify among the disgruntled and outspoken pocket of the fan base.

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The 2011 premiere edition of “Fo’ with the Foes” — Philadunkia’s advanced scouting series which with the help of an accomplished journalist from around the NBA beat or blog world, previews upcoming 76ers opponents — features tonight’s opponent CP3 and the hard-to-figure-out New Orleans Hornets. 

We don’t really like the 76ers chances of winning this eighth and final game of this holiday extended road trip.  As we all know the 76ers sit at 3 wins and 4 L’s on the current west Coast swing, so to come home 4-4 sure would be nice. 

However, a couple of things are working against the 7-6 tonight.  Obviously we have been on the road for 8-games straight now, so fatigue will be a factor.  Secondly, this is a big revenge game for the Hornets who were simply embarrassed by the Sixers in Philadelphia back in early December.  Throw in the fact that since these teams last played, the Hornets (who have been a rollercoaster all year) are playing better basketball and the fact that the NOH are 13-4 at home and we don’t see the Sixers pulling out a W tonight.  

For a little more insight into the Hornets team the Sixers face tonight, we turn to our man Michael McNamara @ hornets247.com to answer two questions on the NOH from us here at Philadunkia as well as provide us with two points of analysis on this New Orleans squad from an insider’s perspective. 

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This frozen Friday edition of “Fo’ with the Foes” — Philadunkia’s advanced scouting series which with the help of an accomplished journalist from around the NBA beat or blog world, previews upcoming 76ers opponents — features tonight’s opponent the two time defending NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers. 

The Sixers are about as hot as they have ever been over the last two years and we really like the way the team is playing right now.  We’re getting contributions from everyone of offense – including Spencer Hawes.  SURPRISE.  On the defensive end we are also playing very well – the Sixers are ranked 10^thin opponents scoring average (96.6 ppg.) and 4^th in opponents’ 3-point percentage (33.3%).

Throw in the fact that this is the 6^thgame in a 7-game road swing for the LAL and the idea that a significantly inferior 76ers squad (to the current team) gave the Lakers all they could handle in both match ups last year and we have to say we like our chances of seeing an upset tonight.

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This Sunday morning edition of “Fo’ with the Foes” — Philadunkia’s advanced scouting series which with the help of an accomplished journalist from around the NBA beat or blog world, previews upcoming 76ers opponents — features tonight’s opponent CP3 and the sliding New Orleans Hornets. 

We really like the 76ers chances of winning this matinee game today.  As we all know the 76ers have won 5 of their last 6 home games and played arguably their best game of the year in their gut wrenching, one-point L to Boston on Thursday night.  So after a horrible start, the Sixers have absolutely been playing much better ball of late. 

On the other hand, after a very hot start, the Hornets are reeling, and have lost 7 of their last 10 (including 3 out of the last 4).  Additionally, the NOH played Friday night and then traveled to Philly, so this odd afternoon start time could benefit a rested Sixers team.  In short, the Sixers are getting the Hornets at a great time and if they play like they did Thursday night the 7-6 should win this game.

However, there is one way the Sixers could lose this game…The NOH love the pick-n-roll game and with an all-world point man like Chris Paul who can blame them.  The Sixers of course have a tough time guarding the pick-n-roll.  As we all know it’s an issue that has plagued this group for a few years now.  So if Philadunkia’s home team allows the NOH to run their pick-n-roll sets all night with little or no resistance, then expect Paul, David West, Emeka Okafor and Marco Belinelli to have big nights and for the Sixers to take a loss.    

For a little more insight into the Celtics team the Sixers face tonight, we turn to our man Michael McNamara @ hornets247.com to answer two questions on the Celtics from us here at Philadunkia as well as provide us with two points of analysis on this Boston squad from an insider’s perspective. 

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This very late, very brief edition of “Fo’ with the Foes” — Philadunkia’s advanced scouting series which with the help of an accomplished journalist from around the NBA beat or blog world, previews upcoming 76ers opponents — features tonight’s opponent the aging and banged up, but still very good Boston Celtics. 

The 76ers are riding a 5-game home winning streak and have won 4 of their last 5 overall so they have some momentum going for the first time all year.  Still this sudden wave of good play and success will not be enough to carry the 7-6 past an injury riddled Boston squad.  Obviously we hope and pray that Sixers win tonight, but we just don’t see it happening.

Here’s the reason why…Even though the C’s appear ripe for the picking — they played last night while the Sixers are rested, they have a host of injuries that have put key players out and their starters are banged up, one thing is for certain — Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen will be on the floor tonight.  Shaq will most likely make a cameo as well.  Those facts give the C’s a distinct advantage over Philadunkia’s home team as we simply don’t have that kind of talent.  So even though the 7-6 went 1-3 vs. Boston last year and played them tough in several of those defeats (L’s by 3 and 10 points), we feel the Sixers will be over matched again tonight and suffer a close loss to their arch rivals.

For a little more insight into the Celtics team the Sixers face tonight, we turn to our man Ryan DeGama from celticshub.com to answer two questions on the Celtics from us here at Philadunkia as well as provide us with two points of analysis on this Boston squad from an insider’s perspective. 

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This Friday edition of “Fo’ with the Foes” — Philadunkia’s advanced scouting series which with the help of an accomplished journalist from around the NBA beat or blog world, previews upcoming 76ers opponents — features tonight’s opponent the red hot Atlanta Hawks.

The 76ers are riding a two-game winning streak (their 1^st of the year) as they head to “Hot ‘lanta” to face a Hawks team that is on a four game winning streak.

On the 76ers side of things, this game is all about Evan Turner for us.  Now that Turner has been “benched”, we will be very anxious to see how the kid handles the return to the pine.  According to every scouting report we read before the 2010 NBA Draft, Turner has a high basketball IQ and is mentally tough, so hopefully he understands the demotion and will not be shaken by this move.  But you never know how a player, especially a rookie, will react to losing his starting spot until it actually goes down. 

When he does get in the game, Turner must be aggressive and get some buckets against Jamal Crawford who on his best day is a mediocre defender.  Turner’s recent struggles are scary — 1.4 ppg. in his last four runs – and this game presents a solid opportunity for him to get back on track.      

The big story out of Atlanta this week is that All-Star guard and leading scorer Joe Johnson will miss several weeks of action with an injury to his shooting elbow that required surgery on Thursday.  However, Philadunkia nation should not start jumping up and down with visions of an upset because of that news. 

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This edition of “Fo’ with the Foes” — Philadunkia’s advanced scouting series which with the help of an accomplished journalist from around the NBA beat or blog world, previews upcoming 76ers opponents — features tonight’s opponent down at the Wells Fargo Center, our favorite former point man Andre Miller and his Portland TrailBlazers. 

Believe it or not, we expect the 76ers to win this game tonight.  Yes we know Vegas has installed the Sixers as a 3.5 point “home dog”.  And yes we know that Portland is a very talented team that is playoff tested and lives in the brutally tough Western Conference.  And yes we can see where many would say that on paper Portland is a better squad then Philadunkia’s home team.  But this isn’t the Blazers of 2009-10 that battled hard every night despite major injury problems.  Nope, this Blazers team appears burnt out, is sitting at 8-8 while riding a 3-game losing streak and is on the brink of an internal meltdown. 

The Sixers should be able to capitalize on all of those issues and get a W tonight.

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