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Sixers-Pacers Game 5 Preview Two teams trying to win without suspended stars
Posted: Monday May 15, 2000 02:16 PM
A series that had all the earmarks of a four game sweep now has some people thinking it could go the full seven. Those people would be the Philadelphia 76ers, and the reason for their renewed optimism is the prospect of playing Game 5 tonight against an Indiana team missing Reggie Miller. The Sixers figure if you win this one, and then hold serve in Game 6 back in Philly, the series will come down to one game. That's the big picture at least, none of which matter unless Philadelphia can win at Conseco Fieldhouse tonight. With Reggie suspended one game for his run in with Matt Geiger, who misses the next two (Philly will take the trade off by the way), the Sixers focus tonight will be on containing Jalen Rose, who has proven himself as a legit scorer this season. With Geiger missing, Rik Smits needs to assert himself as he did in Game 4 when he scored 20. This will be the second time in this post season that Indiana has had a starter suspended. With Smits sitting in Game 3 of the Bucks series, the Pacers won at Milwaukee. Miller and Rose combined for 61 points in that game. Who will pick up the offensive slack with Reggie sitting tonight? The Sixers go into this one not only trying to extend the series, but ticked off at the NBA's $50,000 fine, the league holding "the team and coach accountable for the reckless actions of their players." It's a slap in Larry Brown's face, and he resents it. Whether it factors in to the Game 5 equation remains to be seen.
Provided courtesy of TNT, copyright 2003
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