Philadelphia 76ers: Not Just Happy to Be Here

The Philadelphia 76ers shocked the basketball world on Sunday afternoon.  The seventh seeded 76ers came into the Palace of Auburn Hills and stole game one from Detroit. 

The Pistons didn't seem to bring usual their all-business attitude to the game and Philly made them regret it.  Detroit got out to a lead early, but couldn't kick it into fifth gear and put the Sixers away. 

There was no intensity.  No sense of urgency.  It wasn't Pistons basketball.

The Sixers got inspired play by a rejuvenated Andre Miller, who went for 20 points and six assists, leading the way for the up-start Philadelphia squad.  

At 62-47 midway through the third quarter it appeared to the fans that Detroit had the game in hand and would come away with a win.  This was not the case.  

Two quick baskets by Willie Green sparked Philly to a 10-0 run and a big momentum shift.  

Philadelphia took their first lead on an Andre Miller basket with about six minutes to go in the fourth quarter.  They would regain the lead again after two Reggie Evans free throws on Philadelphia's next possession.

Chauncey Billups, regarded as "Mr. Big Shot" to Piston fans over the years, didn't live up to his title.  In a two and a half minute span late in the fourth quarter, Billups managed to miss three of four free throws and a lay-up.  

Detroit even had a chance to take the lead late and avoid the upset.  After Chauncey hit two free throws to get the lead down the one the 76ers turned the ball over.  Everything seemed to be going the Piston's way.  

With roughly thirty seconds left on the clock, Detroit took the ball at half court and set up a shot for Tayshaun Prince, which missed short.  Rip Hamilton immediately fouled Andre Iguodala with 11 seconds on the clock praying for a missed free throw.  He got his wish.

"Iggy" missed his first free throw before sinking the second to give the 76ers a two-point lead with just 11 ticks left.  

After a Detroit time out they gave the ball to the game's leading scorer, Rasheed Wallace.  Wallace couldn't come through for Detroit and missed an eight-footer, forcing Detroit to foul again.  This time Iggy came through making both, putting the final stamp on a gritty road win.  

Philadelphia:  90

Detroit :  86

I still can't believe it.   

I had heard many people saying the 76ers were a scary team to play in the playoffs this past week.  I just figured they were just trying to get us to watch the series.  There's no way Detroit could lose to them.  Is there?  

What Philadelphia has going for them that I haven't seen from many teams this year is they all trust each other. 

Getting rid of Allen Iverson might have been the best thing that could've happened to that franchise for the future.  

Now, before we all flip out and ask why I'm calling out AI, I'm not.

He didn't fit in Philadelphia at that point in his career and needed to get out.  Philadelphia has a good group of young players with an emerging star in Andre Iguodala.  They have one of the most consistent and tough point guards in the league in Miller, who made Chauncey Billups look like a rookie.    

Despite a great game, Rasheed Wallace put the loss on himself.  Wallace went for 24 points, 9 rebounds, and tied a franchise playoff record with seven blocks. 

The Sixer players got a sense of pride when they heard the Pistons players were "shooting the breeze" with ex-teammate Flip Murray during breaks in action.  

Wallace doesn't think the meltdown has anything to do with the saying, "That's my man."   

I don't know if I would go ahead and predict the series upset because I think now Philly has Detroit's attention and will bring out a different team on Wednesday.  

Detroit's "flip the switch" mentality didn't work out for them today.  Now we will probably see them flip it on, and keep it that way.