Sixers keep eye on playoff seeding in win

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MILWAUKEEWith the Sixers clinging to a small lead during the waning moments of Wednesday nights penultimate game of the regular season, a few folks on the bench began to get a little curious about how things were going in Madison Square Garden.
No, the Sixers didnt really have to scoreboard watch since they sewed up one of the eight spots in the Eastern Conference playoffs last Monday in New Jersey, but they were curious nonetheless. See, if the Knicks, the Sixers hated Atlantic Division foes, lost to the Clippers, then Philly would have the No. 7 seed all to themselves.
Thats not necessarily a good thing.
So as the Sixers cruised to a 90-85 victory at the Bradley Center behind 56 combined points (on 48 shots) from Evan Turner and Jodie Meeks (see Lynam's Instant Replay) and the Knicks held on for a victory to stay even at 35-30, the Sixers still did not know where or when they would play in the postseason.
The Sixers could be headed for Chicago for a game on Saturday or Sunday, or, then again, maybe theyll go to Miami. The scenario could not get much simpler: The Knicks get the No. 7 seed and Miami in first round of the playoffs if they beat the Bobcats on Thursday night. The Knicks also sew up the No. 7 seed if the Sixers lose in Detroit to close out the regular season, Thursday.
If the Bobcats and Sixers win, then its another first-round date with the Heat for Philly.
Given that the Bobcats are one loss from breaking the all-time worst winning percentage for a full NBA season, it seems as if all thats left is for the final buzzer to sound and the schedules to be finalized. Besides, based on some of the body language and demeanor from the Sixers as they checked in on the Knicks, a trip to Chicago would not be a bad thing.
Some of the players on the Sixers believe they match up better against the Bulls than they do against the Heat and there very well could be something to that. After all, the Sixers have not beaten the Heat in a regular-season game since March 15, 2009 for a streak of 11 straight losses. Throw in the five games from last springs postseason and the Sixers are just 1-15 against the Heat.
Meanwhile, the Sixers have split the last six regular-season meetings against the Bulls, including an impressive 98-82 victory at the Wells Fargo Center on Feb. 1 that seemed to serve notice around the league at the time.
That was until the compressed schedule and grueling season got the better of Doug Collins group.
Still, as the Sixers were putting the Bucks away, they were very aware of how things were going in New York City.
We probably match up better against them even though they are, by far, the best team in the East, Turner said. We match up better with them with our personnel so you never know.
Interestingly, there were a few harbingers that came during the victory over the Bucks on Wednesday. Though Elton Brand, Andre Iguodala and Thad Young stayed back in Philadelphia to rest up for the playoffs, and top scorer Lou Williams watched from the bench in a navy blue suit, the preparation for the postseason has begun. In fact, there were two trends that appeared in the game that Collins wants to see more of beginning this weekend.
One is the rebounding. Against the Bucks, Lavoy Allen pulled down 12 boards, while Turner added 13 to go with his career-high 29-points scoring game. In order to beat the Bulls (or Heat?), the Sixers need to hold their own on the glass even though they dont have the big men for the task.
The key for us is going to be our big guys, Collins said. If we play Chicago, we have to rebound that ball. To see the Lavoy rebound tonight was good. Thad isnt a great rebounder and Brand is a better offensive rebounder than a defensive rebounder. So when you play against a team that pounds those boards, your wings have to rebound. Iguoldala is going to have to rebound and Evan is going to have to rebound.
The other thing to keep an eye on is Turners minutes. He played 40:32 on Thursday, which gave him plenty of time to squeeze off 29 shots and come close to a triple-double with six assists. It was the second-highest amount of minutes Turner has logged this season and though he complained of being tired after the game, it sounds like hes going to have to get used to it.
It looks like Turner is going to get a chance to clock some serious minutes in the playoffs.
If you give Evan those kinds of minutes, hes going to put up those kinds of points, Collins said. Unfortunately, for our teamour team is constructed, he doesnt get those minutes. I'll tell you this ... he's going to get a ton of minutes in the playoffs.
Could it be sweeter for Turner? It was an interesting season for the second-year player, who improved so much during the off-season that Collins eventually had to put Turner into the starting lineup. However, after 18 games as a starter, the coach put Meeks back into the lineup and Turner to his reserve role.
As one would expect, his numbers dipped a bit.
Still, Turner and Meeks were quite the backcourt tandem against the Bucks and because rebounding is going to be a big factor if the Sixers face the Bulls, Turner, who grew up just minutes from Chicagos United Center, could be an integral piece.
I can rebound with anyone on the team here, Turner said. I just have to make sure I stay on the court.
As for how the team plans to handle the Pistons in the regular-season finale, it really is as simple as the playoff scenariosthe Sixers play to win.
Dont start jockeying and start thinking, We want to play this team, Collins said. Just win and play who youre supposed to play.
The Sixers still havent figured that part out yet, but it sounds as if theyre ready for Chicago.
E-mail John R. Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com.

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