Sixers Rip Shaq-less Heat

The Sixers took advantage of the short-handed Heat, who have shipped out Shaquille O'Neal and are still waiting for the arrival of Shawn Marion, with a 101-84 win. The game was pretty close until the fourth quarter when the Sixers pulled away. They got solid performances from the Andre's, with Iguodala scoring 25 points and adding 8 boards, and Miller, who continues to have stellar all-around games, chipped in 21 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds. The man who has taken some criticism from me lately, Reggie Evans (I called him the worst starter in the NBA), had a good game with 14 rebounds. He didn't start, though, and has proven to be a great spark off the bench. He is a high energy guy, so he adds more to the team when he can come in and pick guys up or help to erase a sluggish start.

The Sixers have two very winnable games coming up, with a certain loss sandwiched in between. They face the last place Clippers, the Mavericks and then the last place Grizzlies in their next three games. Philly is only, gasp!, a 1/2 game out of a playoff spot right now, and although it would hurt them in the long run because they won't get a lottery pick, if this team was to make the playoffs, it would do a lot to lift the spirits of the young guys who have been hustling all year.