Game two being the exception, late game winning shots seem to be the name of the game in this first round series between the Magic and the 76ers.
This time Hedo Turkoglu was the hero hitting a three pointer with 1.1 seconds left to send this series back to Orlando tied 2-2. 
After finishing the first half tied the Sixers fell behind for most of the second half before making a run late to tie it up. The writing was on the wall for a let down in the second half if you looked at the half time numbers. The Sixers shooting percentage was horrible and they had only gotten to the charity stripe twice going only 1 for 2. At that point they were lucky to have been tied.
The reason the Sixers lost is simple. If you take low percentage shots, chances are your going to shoot a lousy percentage from the field. Also if you can’t make your free throws, not naming any names (WILLIE GREEN,) then you will lose. Especially in the playoffs, especially against a team the caliber of the Orlando Magic.
When the Sixers are firing on all cylinders they are a complete team on both ends of the floor. The Magic kept them on the outside, didn’t allow any easy looks from inside the paint and challenged virtually every shot. This threw the Sixers off their game on the defensive end, everyone was following the ball. The defensive help down low was arriving too quickly , leaving Magic players open for three point looks. Something that the Sixers have had trouble with all year long.
To the Magic’s credit they put up their best defensive effort these playoffs. And to their credit they hit their shots, on top of that they also didn’t crack under the pressure. As simple of a play as it may seem, running a pick to switch up defenders on Turkoglu for the game winning shot was smart. Not saying Thaddeus Young isn’t a good defender but he’s not as experienced as Andre Iguodala is. If Young had been more experienced he may have realized there wasn’t enough time left for Turkulgo to drive to the basket. Perhaps he would have guarded him a little tighter, then again maybe he was afraid of fouling.
If the Sixers had shot better from the field and made their free throws we would not have to answer all these questions.
The Sixers inexperience showed a little tonight. Watching some of the decision making, some of the shot choices you can tell some of these guys haven’t really been here before. I know the experience last year was valuable, but it does take time. A guy like Andre Miller has seemed to rub off on Andre Iguodala, but has yet to rub off on some of the others.
Watching Samuel Dalembert and his lack of Basketball I.Q. makes me long for the days of Charles Shackleford. He commits more foolish fouls and takes more foolish shots than anyone in the NBA.
Willies Green I can nit pick all day , but like I said earlier, MAKE YOUR FREE THROWS. Your a two guard right? A guy whose suppose to be a good shooter, at least an above average free throw shooter.
And finally, Louis Williams, you’ve had enough time in your career, early on, warming the bench. I thought you would have learned something, guess I was wrong. Taking foolish three pointers, when you need to put some points on the board, when you need to run a play and get a higher percentage shot. Simply put, your a momentum killer.
The Sixers effort was there, but when they lose it’s like ground hog day. It’s the same reasons nearly every time, and that’s the frustrating part. They had the momentum in this series, they had a chance to step on Orlando’s throat and they couldn’t do it. Now the series heads back to Orlando and the Magic now have the momentum. Orlando’s early play had them frustrated and looking for answers. Now they are no longer showing immature swagger, but cold calculated confidence in their game. The Sixers must respond, or they’ll be headed back to Philly fighting for their playoff lives.
-Mike Santa Barbara
***Coming Tomorrow Game 5 Preview***
