Sixers Win an Important Battle with Knicks

The Wells Fargo Center last night was rocking in a way that it hasn't in a long time, and it was for a reason that's a little new to Sixers fans. Meaningful basketball. What occurred last night is a reminder to Philadelphia basketball fans that when the Sixers are in the race, the Wells Fargo Center can rock for Sixers basketball as well.

Last night, marked an important step in the chase for the sixth seed, they actually beat the team in front of them.

The Sixers defeated the Knicks in a 100-98 nail biter and in the process continue to learn so much about themselves. This is a team that has successfully overcome a 3-13 start and a avalanche of negativity about their prospects of being competitive this season after the abomination that was the Eddie Jordan era.

Last night was so important because in a 82 game season there are many turning points along the way and that game could be a turning point for many reasons:

• The Sixers played with a confident in the second half that has eluded them in big games this season and for once instead pf waiting for the Sixers to blow the lead, there was a odd sense of confidence going down the wire, a sign that this team is growing and gelling before our eyes.

• Elton Brand, who has been a good soldier throughout his entire Sixers tenure, had the game of his Sixers career last night. Brand lit up the Knicks for 33 points and 16 rebounds and played fantastic defense throughout. I envision this is what Brand was thinking of doing on a nightly basis when he signed that huge deal a couple summers ago. Nevertheless, Brand has been the ultimate team player this season and it was great to see him play in such a fashion. 

• The fans are beginning to buy into this team, because much like the Phillies, there isn't anything really unlikeable about this team. The players play hard every night and no matter how much some people may want to move Andre Iguodala, you can't deny that he is not about himself, he sacrifices shot attempts and all of that to do the little things that lead to victories. he set a team record for assists last night in a quarter for the Sixers with nine. That's a sign that Andre is willing to do whatever it takes to win.

Whenever you talk about the changes in this team and the massive improvement, you can't say enough about what coach Doug Collins has done for this franchise, he's giving this group an identity and he's been real with his players from the beginning and you can see that the guys genuinely like playing for him.

When the move was made to bring Collins in, there wasn't a lot of fanfare, it was met by more of an ehhh response, but there was something I liked about the move and even when the team started slow, there wasn't any panic and with such a young roster, a steady hand is key and that's what Collins has been.

There's now a bubbling sense of anticipation in the air regarding this Sixers team, and I think the town is ready to embrace this team as long as they beat New York again on Sunday afternoon.

Photos Courtesy of the Associated Press