NBA Playoffs 2012: Sixers Have No Excuse to Lose to Wounded Bulls in Game 6

What the hell were the Philadelphia 76ers doing on Tuesday night? How could they possibly shoot that poorly and lose to a Chicago Bulls team playing without Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah?

It boggles the mind.

I mean, c'mon—69 points? A 10-point second quarter? Shooting 32.1 percent from the field?

Infuriating.

This Sixers team has no excuses against a wounded Bulls team, and they absolutely must eliminate them at home in Game 6 tonight.

I don't mean to insult this Bulls team in any way, but I don't think it's a stretch to say that they are vulnerable without two of their best players available. And though only an eighth seed, the Sixers still have enough talent to handle the Bulls team as currently structured.

But that's not going to happen if players like Thaddeus Young don't even score a point or Evan Turner manages only four points on 2-7 shooting.

Watching this Sixers team is not a sexy experience like you get from the Miami Heat or Oklahoma City Thunder, teams with legitimate superstars. The Sixers rather are a team comprised of elite role players—from a solid point guard in Jrue Holiday, to an excellent defense stopper in Andre Iguodala and a great sixth man in Lou Williams.

Without an elite player, this team's ceiling is limited. But that doesn't mean they aren't capable of playing very good basketball—just look at the Indiana Pacers, who, granted, have a better scorer in Danny Granger than the Sixers possess but also lack a true superstar.

The Sixers can't afford to lose Game 6 at home. Not only would that ensure a return trip to Chicago, but they would be doing so after sacrificing momentum in this series with two straight losses.

Nothing is more dangerous than a wounded animal, namely one with momentum in the fight. If the Sixers don't want to blow a golden opportunity, they'll win Game 6.

And put my mind at ease.

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