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Sixers-Bulls: Game 2 scouting report

PLAYERS TO WATCH SIXERS: Evan Turner: It looks like Turner will be in the starting lineup. And it seems that that he will be assigned to guard point guard C.J. Watson. If he can do a good job, play tight offensively and lend some rebounding help, it could go a long way in helping the Sixers entertain thoughts of an upset.

    by by Bob Cooney, <a href="mailto:cooneyb@phillynews.com">cooneyb@phillynews.com</a>
    Published 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

SIXERS: Evan Turner: It looks like Turner will be in the starting lineup. And it seems that that he will be assigned to guard point guard C.J. Watson. If he can do a good job, play tight offensively and lend some rebounding help, it could go a long way in helping the Sixers entertain thoughts of an upset.

BULLS: Rip Hamilton: Hamilton scored 19 points on just seven shots in Game 1 by running around and through a myriad of picks set by teammates. Jrue Holiday will have the defensive assignment at the start, and he'll have to make it harder for Hamilton to get where he wants. If Hamilton is making shots, it makes the loss of Derrick Rose so much easier for the Bulls to handle.

THREE KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Rebounding. The Sixers have to find a way to at least match the Bulls on the backboard. Chicago was relentless rebounding in Game 1, often extending possessions with offensive rebounds or tips out to teammates. The Sixers need to at least stay even in the rebounding department.

2. The start. The Sixers have to get out to a fast start. Coach Doug Collins said the first 5 minutes of the game will be about emotion, the next 43 about execution. If the Sixers can negate a fast start by the Bulls, the fans and maybe even the Bulls might start to get a little unsettled.

3. Scoring contributions. The Sixers need to get offensive production from the center spot and the shooting guard position. Spencer Hawes and Lavoy Allen, the two centers who combined for about 35 minutes, collected a total of just nine points in Game 1, and Jodie Meeks scored only two points. It appears he'll be replaced by Evan Turner in the starting lineup. Turner needs to produce offensively.

Schedule

Game 1: Bulls 103, Sixers 91

Bulls lead series, 1-0

Game 2: Tuesday at Bulls, 8 (CSN)

Game 3: Friday at Sixers, 8 (CSN)

Game 4: Sunday at Sixers, 1 (ABC)

* Game 5: Tuesday, May 8 at Bulls, TBA (CSN)

*Game 6: Thursday, May 10: at Sixers, TBA (CSN)

*Game 7: Saturday, May 12: at Bulls, TBA (CSN)