Free t-shirts for 76ers fans in Philly at Game 3

As the Philadelphia 76ers now lead their series 1-0 over Orlando, fans will bring some extra KRYPTONITE against “Superman” Dwight Howard when the Sixers return home this Friday (April 24) and Sunday (April 26).

Fans attending Game 3 at the Wachovia Center on Friday, April 24 at 8 p.m. will receive a free lime-green Kryptonite T-Shirt (image attached).  Fans attending Game 4 on Sunday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m. will receive free Kryptonite Green Glow Sticks.

Anthony Johnson dunks in game 1

Sunday afternoon the Orlando Magic are hosting the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of the 2009 NBA playoffs round 1.

And at the very end of the first quarter, Magic guard Anthony Johnson, who is about 93 years old, saw an opening, drove right down the middle of the paint and threw down an enthusiastic one-handed slam. And he did it despite big, tall, shot-blocker Theo Ratliff running over to help.

Magic bench player Marcin Gortat was so excited, he ran a few feet onto the court in celebration, until coach Stan Van Gundy grabbed and pulled him away from a potential technical foul situation.

76ers need more home fan support

I’m looking at attendance stats for the 2008-09 season, and notice that the Philadelphia 76ers had the lowest average home attendance of any team that qualified for the playoffs.

The Wizards and Clippers, who were absolutely awful this season, had more fans at their home games than the Sixers did.

With 41 wins and 41 losses, Philly was good enough to land them the 6-seed in the Eastern conference playoffs. They’re a good, fun team that deserves more filled seats at home.

Post your opinion in this forum topic.

Fans predict first round playoff results

InsideHoops.com posted a poll two days ago asking fans to predict the results of the 2009 NBA playoffs first round.

In the East:

325 fans picked the Cavaliers to beat the Pistons. Just 29 picked Detroit.
321 fans picked the Magic to beat the 76ers. Just 20 picked Philadelphia.
258 fans picked the Celtics to beat the Bulls. 87 picked Chicago.
And in the East’s only fairly close result, 183 fans picked the Heat while 155 picked the Hawks.

As expected, other than the Lakers-Jazz series, the voting was pretty close in the West:

336 fans picked the Lakers to beat the Jazz. Just 17 picked Utah.
241 fans picked the Nuggets to beat the Hornets. 113 picked New Orleans.
224 fans picked the Spurs to beat the Mavericks. 122 picked Dallas.
198 fans picked the Trail Blazers to beat the Rockets. 152 picked Houston.

Ed Snider of Comcast-Spectacor under investigation

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is investigating whether a $15,000 political contribution from Comcast-Spectacor chairman Ed Snider, who is a partner in the Foxwoods Casino planned for Center City, violated the state ban on campaign giving by gambling interests. Snider gave $15,000 on Jan. 15 to Comcast Corp. PAC-USA, a political committee registered with the Pennsylvania Department of State. The 2004 gaming act prohibits any casino principals from contributing “to any political party committee or other political committee in this commonwealth.” In an interview yesterday, Paul Mauro, deputy director of the Gaming Control Board’s Bureau of Investigations and Enforcement, said only: “There is an ongoing investigation, and we don’t comment on ongoing investigations.”

Pierce lifts Celtics past 76ers

The AP reports: The 76ers might be in big trouble in a playoff series with Boston once Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett are back. Paul Pierce and his backup band were enough to finish off a Sixers team that still has something to play for. Pierce hit the winning jumper, scored 31 points and hindered Philadelphia’s shot at the Eastern Conference’s sixth seed in Boston’s 100-98 win over the Sixers on Tuesday night… Tony Allen and Leon Powe were pressed into service and combined for 28 points, and the Celtics’ bench also outscored Philadelphia’s reserves… Andre Iguodala led the Sixers with 25 points and Thaddeus Young had 18.

Bosh scores 22 as Raptors beat 76ers 111-104

The AP reports: Chris Bosh scored 22 points, Jose Calderon had 11 points and 11 assists, and the Toronto Raptors beat Philadelphia 111-104 on Sunday night, handing the 76ers their season-high fifth straight loss… Anthony Parker scored 18 points, Andrea Bargnani had 17 and Shawn Marion had 14 for the Raptors, who won for the first time in five games. Louis Williams had 23 points and Andre Iguodala had 21 for Philadelphia, with Samuel Dalembert adding 18 points and 12 rebounds. Miller and Marreese Speights each had 10 points for the 76ers, who have their first five-game losing streak since dropping seven in a row between Jan. 2-14, 2008.

Cavaliers beat 76ers to clinch No. 1 spot in East

The AP reports: LeBron James had 27 points and 10 assists, Wally Szczerbiak scored a season-high 18 and the Cavaliers beat the struggling Philadelphia 76ers 102-92 Friday night to clinch home-court advantage in the Eastern conference playoffs… Andre Iguodala led Philadelphia with 26. The Sixers (40-39) have lost four straight since clinching a playoff berth. They remained one game behind Miami for fifth place in the East… Andre Miller and Lou Williams each scored 17 for Philadelphia, and Mo Williams had 18 for the Cavs.

Thomas, Gordon lead Bulls over 76ers, 113-99

The AP reports: There’s no denying the Bulls have come a long way in recent weeks, though. Tyrus Thomas and Ben Gordon each scored 24 points, and Chicago closed in on its fourth playoff appearance in five years with a 113-99 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night… Thomas set a season-high for points while converting a career-best 14 of 14 free throws. He scored 10 in the third quarter and Gordon added seven as the Bulls turned a 50-50 halftime tie into an 82-72 lead, before pulling away in the fourth for their 13th home win in 14 games… Andre Miller scored 20 points—none in the fourth quarter—and Andre Iguodala added 19 for the 76ers, who trail Miami by a game and lead Chicago by just 1 1/2.

Wallace, Bobcats recover to beat 76ers 101-98

The AP reports: Gerald Wallace scored 29 points, including the go-ahead bucket when he picked off Raymond Felton’s woefully short shot in the final minute, and the Bobcats beat the Sixers 101-98 on Tuesday night to snap a three-game losing streak. Wallace later added two free throws, while Felton finished with a career-high 32 points as the Bobcats recovered after blowing a 20-point lead to improve their faint playoff hopes… Andre Iguodala and Willie Green missed tying 3-pointers in the closing seconds. Andre Miller had 23 points and Louis Williams scored 20 for Philadelphia, which remained a half-game behind fifth-place Miami as it tries to avoid a first-round matchup with Boston or Orlando.