But winning two straight when in dire straits, and coming back from 19 down Friday before Morris Peterson restored the Raptors' momentum, shows the Sixers are capable of toughing this out, especially at the First Union Center, where Vince has not been invincible. The Sixers have to make it miserable on these frontrunners quickly. Whoever throws the first punch, whoever throws the hardest punch, wins the match. Facing elimination Friday, the Raptors got brave before their homefolks. Iverson will be in over-drive, but you can't ask for another 50.
Little help means a long off-season.
Trademark team defense must be of the Sixers' Game 4 and 5 vintage. The Sixers just have too much to lose. Whatever it takes to win, we will bring it out, leave it on the floor. Not just our crowd, we as players. The comforts of home have backfired before, winding the Sixers too tight.