Game 4: Bulls at 76ers
Players to watch 76ERS: Forward Thaddeus Young He has been pretty quiet in this series because when he enters the game he is usually matched up with the bigger, stronger Taj Gibson. If Bulls center Joakim Noah is out, which he probably will be, Gibson will likely be a starter. Expect Young to play muc
Players to watch
76ERS: Forward Thaddeus Young
He has been pretty quiet in this series because when he enters the game he is usually matched up with the bigger, stronger Taj Gibson. If Bulls center Joakim Noah is out, which he probably will be, Gibson will likely be a starter. Expect Young to play much of the time when Gibson is on the bench, or not matched up with him when he is in the game. That could create serious defensive problems for the Bulls in covering Young.
BULLS: Forward Luol Deng
Deng really has to start picking up some of the offense that is missing because of the injuries to Derrick Rose (torn ACL) and Noah (sprained ankle). Deng has been settling for jump shots too often in this series. He is being guarded most of the time by a hobbled Andre Iguodala (Achilles tendinitis) and needs to take advantage of that.
Three keys to the game
1.
The Sixers need to negate the Bulls' three-point shooting. With Rose and probably Noah out, Chicago will look to drain threes to make up for its missing starters. The Sixers have to defend.
2.
Elton Brand must provide some offense. After being mostly money with his patented 10-to-15-footers in the first two games, Brand was scoreless Friday.
3.
The Sixers can't let Chicago's injury problems make them overconfident. Coach Doug Collins has addressed his team about a possible letdown. A loss Sunday would negate their advantage.
- Bob Cooney
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