During the grueling season made up of back-to-backs and breakneck road trips, off days came very seldom for the 76ers. When they got them, the objective was to rest up and recharge because there was undoubtedly another game looming.
In fact, the Sixers had two days off between games just twice during the regular season, something that was not lost on the players or coaches at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine on Thursday afternoon. After all, the Sixers and Bulls have already had two days off between games twice before they even laced them up for Game 3.
If anything the short respite will be good for Sixers All-Star Andre Iguodala, who practiced very lightly on Thursday because of a bout with Achilles tendonitis. Iguodala will play in Game 3 on Friday night, but there was no way coach Doug Collins was going to overburden his best perimeter defender with two games scheduled this weekend.
He said its still a little tight, but we have until Friday night and I expect him to be ready, Collins said. He did very little Thursday. He warmed up and shot a little, but this is the beauty of having two days off between games. The Sunday turnaround is going to be a lot shorter and we might have to use an extra guy.
Iguodala first spoke about his Achilles issue after the Sixers 109-92 victory over the Bulls at the United Center after Game 2 on Tuesday night. With his feet plunged in a bucket of ice, Iguodala said he didnt think the tendonitis would be an issue come game time on Friday and he stuck with that theory after practice on Thursday.
Its a combination of everything, Iguodala said of his sore Achilles. Normal wear and tear.
Iguodala scored 11 points on 5-for-12 shooting, but made just one shot that wasnt a dunk. Following a dunk in the third quarter, Iguodala was limping noticeably and he ended up spending the majority of the fourth quarter on the bench after playing 32 minutes.
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But no matter how much hes limited physically, Iguodala says it shouldnt affect his game come Friday night.
I feel like I can think the game so Ill still be able to be effective out there, Iguodala said.
In a sense, Iguodala is like a catcher or shortstop in baseball where the defense comes first and anything that comes from the offensive end is a bonus. Of course, its not as extreme as that, but Iguodala earns his money with his defense and the number he pulled on Luol Deng during the second half of Game 2 was pure artistry.
Deng shot 3 for 12 in Game 2 for eight points, a game removed from going 8 for 14 for 17 points in Game 1. With Derrick Rose watching from a suite above the court, Deng went 1 for 6 after the first quarter following an opening frame where he made two shots. During the final quarter, Deng barely touched the ball let alone hoist a shot.
With Iguodala guarding Deng one-on-one, the Sixers big men could concentrate on attacking the boards.
Honestly, we dont give Andre a lot of help, said Elton Brand of the defensive sets used to help Iguodala. He plays a lot of that defense on his own unless its Joe Johnson or Kobe Bryant or one of those scorers where were trying to take the ball out of their hands. Usually, hes out there on his own and were helping the other guys out a little more.
Iguodala finished seventh in the defensive player of the year balloting announced Wednesday and along with LeBron James and Tony Allen of Memphis, he was the only big guard in the mix. Theres a good chance Iguodala could be first-team All Defense when its announced in a couple of weeks.
Meanwhile, the extra day of rest has been an oddity in a season filled with them. If given a choice, Brand, the veteran, says the two days off between games is the way to go.
Its been good to have this kind of rest for your legs and to focus on the game, Brand said. In the regular season with three games in a row and four games in a week, just to have the two days off it makes you feel refreshed a little bit.
After this season these days off helps for sure.
More importantly, Collins says the Sixers havent wasted the extra day off. With the pivotal Game 3 looming, the Sixers may be more refreshed mentally than anything else. At this point of the season, a mental break is worth more than anything.
I like where our guys are. Theyre very focused, Collins said. I told them there is a fine line between being confident and being assertive and ready to go and that line of losing your focus. I think were ready to go.
E-mail John R. Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com