Tonight, the Sixers put a close on their home season for 2013-14. They host the Boston Celtics, a team they have won two out of three from this season. Obviously, this season is a rebuilding one for the young Sixers, as they look close out their home campaign on a high note before traveling to Miami for their season finale on Wednesday night against the Heat. Tonight's game is scheduled for 7PM on CSNPhilly.
With the season coming to an end, we can hopefully look forward to better days to come. That being said, head coach Brett Brown mentioned in a CBSPhilly piece that next season may not be too different for the young Sixers, but he is excited to bring this team to a higher level in the coming years.
“We’re going to take some hits, it’s going to be a season again of pain, but you’re going to see a 20-year old Nerlens Noel. Whatever draft picks come up, they’re going to be 20-year olds again,” Brown told Angelo Cataldi and the 94WIP Morning Show on Monday. “And Michael [Carter-Williams] is going to be 23 and so on and so. And we got a bunch of second, five, round picks. That’s reality, and we’re trying to just look at a solid program to build a foundation where at some point, you know, you got a chance at knocking on the door. That’s all that anyone wants, to annually feel that you have a shot and I’ve gone on record and said that’s a three to five year process, and that’s just the way it is. I’m thrilled to be here and I look forward to trying to get it to that level that I just spoke of.”
“I’m thrilled with the ground work that we have been able to put in place in a few players, that will continue on with us next year.”
The Sixers (17-63), losers of four straight, have safely secured the second worst record in the NBA, better than just the Milwaukee Bucks, who sit at 15-65. Tonight would be a game that would mean nothing in terms of the tank or anything else, so expect Philadelphia to come out fighting like they always seem to do. On Saturday night, the Sixers fell to the Bobcats by a score of 111-105. Led by Al Jefferson, Charlotte was just too much for Philadelphia at the end. Jefferson scored 29 points and grabbed 12 boards. Meanwhile, Michael Carter-Williams continued his impressive rookie campaign with 23 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. The Sixers rookie has three triple-doubles on the season. Thad Young contributed with 16 points against Charlotte.
Boston (25-55) comes into tonight's contest riding a two-game winning streak, securing victories over the Bobcats and the Cavaliers. Saturday, they defeated Cleveland 111-99 and they upset Charlotte the night before, 106-103. The win against Cleveland snapped a 13-game road losing skid for the Celtics, who are tied with the Lakers for the 5th worst record in the league. Avery Bradley and Kelly Olynyk accounted for 50 of the team's 111 points on Saturday night and 20 of their 47 rebounds.
Game Notes:
- Philadelphia is 9-31 at the Wells Fargo Center this season. They're 8-32 on the road.
- The Sixers are 2-1 against Boston this season, with their most recent vicotry coming on April 4th, 111-102.
- Henry Sims had a career night against the Celtics the last time out, scoring 24 points, 14 from the free-throw line, and grabbing nine rebounds.
- Michael Carter-Williams is averaging 15.0 points, 6.3 assists and 4.7 rebounds in three games against Boston this season.
- Boston is averaging 105.4 points in its last five games, 9.4 more than its season mark.
- Celtics Jeff Green scored 36 in the victory at Philadelphia but totaled 33 points in the Celtics' two losses in the season series.
Starting lineups:
Sixers:
PG Michael Carter-Williams
SG James Anderson
SF Hollis Thompson
PF Thaddeus Young
C Henry Sims
Celtics:
PG Phil Pressy
SG Avery Bradley
SF Jeff Green
PF Brandon Bass
C Kelly Olynyk
Injuries: Jason Richardson, Nerlens Noel and Jarvis Varnado are inactive for the Sixers.
Jerryd Bayless, Jared Sullinger and Rajon Rondo are inactive for Boston.
Prediction: The Sixers prevail in their home finale, 102-97, securing victory and Big Macs for all fans in attendance.
Brandon Apter is a writer for Sixerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @ApterShock
