Dalembert's nine solid minutes of tough on-ball defense not enough, Sixers fall
The 76ers secured the moral victory in Game 2 by holding Dwight Howard to only a modest 11-point, 10-rebound double-double, but took the demoralizing loss on Wednesday 96-87 to the Magic.
Andre Miller led the way with 30 points for the Sixers, who out shot the Magic from the floor, but Orlando took the edge on the free throw line making 22 shots to Philly’s 12.
Samuel Dalembert and Theo Ratliff combined for nine fouls and a hard-earned five points. Dalembert now has eight fouls and nine points in just over 26 minutes of play in the two playoffs games.
“I’m guarding Dwight-freakin’-Howard and the refs are calling everything on me,” said Dalembert. “My flying D-Bear roundhouse foot-punch isn’t actually a foul…or at least it shouldn’t be. It’s the only chance anyone has at stopping guys like Howard and Chris Paul.”
Injuries may place scoring load square on Dalembert’s shoulders
With Elton Brand lost for the season and Thaddeus Young down for at least the next two weeks,Tony DiLeo will look for someone to shoulder the offensive load in their absence.
Dalembert is having his worst offensive season since his rookie campaign, but he may need to close out the season by improving on his 5.3 shots per game and 6.3 ppg to take approximately 31 or so shots each game and average about 57 points in order for the Sixers to have a realistic shot in the upcoming playoffs.
“Somebody has to step in and take over the scoring load that Thad has taken on lately,” said Dalembert. “I just hope it’s not me…just saying the word ‘offense’ gives me jelly legs and dimes give me hives. In fact, if I make it to the end of the season, that’ll make it two months without a breakout.”
Iguodala's single-double can't stop Hornets
Chris Paul dumped 27 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds on the 76ers for his league-leading fifth triple-double of the season as the Hornets offed the Sixers 101-86. Though Paul also came away with a game-high seven steals, the Sixers were more concerned about how quickly their manhood disappeared after each of his circus shots and passes.
“He was making us look like little [expletives] out there, for real,” said 76ers center Samuel Dalembert. “You saw me try and kick him in the nuts out there….and this little koala bear-lookin’ dude still made the shot.”
Hornets forward Peja Stojakovic added to the embarassment by hitting six three-pointers on a night when the Sixers hit only two as a team.
“Ya’ll can keep chirpin’ in my ear with all that mess about us needing to hit more threes, but that’s not what we do here,” said Sixers guard Andre Miller. “Layups win games. Not free throw shooting or all that three point nonsense…it’s layups. We hit layups in Philly. When you think we’re gonna hit you with the big three, we switch it up on you and stuff that layup down your throat. Layups man…lay…ups.”
The Sixers will head to Houston to face the Rockets on Wednesday.