Philadelphia 76ers aiming to close out the series against Chicago Bulls in Game 6 - NBA Playoffs 2012 Preview
The most important game of the series between the Chicago Bulls and the Philadelphia 76ers, the Game 6, scheduled to take place at the Wells Fargo Center on Thursday night. It is a high value game for both teams, who are going to be battling out with everything they have got.
For the Bulls, it is a must win situation as their playoff campaign is on the line and if they are able to approach this game the same way they approached Game 5, they might just yet be able to force Game 7 in this series.
Bulls went into Game 5 at the United Center, facing elimination from the post season and another season of hard work gone to waste, but the best defensive unit in the league got it going with their hustle work on the D. That was mostly due to the exploits of Taj Gibson, who blocked 4 shots and collected 7 rebounds in the game. He did give the loving supporters a scare when by twisting his ankle in the third quarter. However Gibson was not done on the night, as he came back strong in the fourth quarter to score his final points from an elbow jumper.
Even Philadelphia coach, Doug Collins recognized the high impact Gibson had made in the game and gave him his due credit in the post match press conference.
"His impact on the game was terrific.'' - Collins speaking about Gibson.
Another player for the Bulls that came out strong for the Bulls was Luol Deng, who was able to finally get it going offensively. Deng knocked down 4 triples to finish with a game high 24 points. However most importantly, the Bulls displayed mental toughness on the night by holding the Sixers to a franchise low of 26 points at the half way stage and did not slack up in the second half either.
The Sixers on their part would want to forget the woeful shooting night of 32.1% and move on into Game 6 with a new approach. It is very clear that the Sixers will be treating this game as the final game of the series as no side would want to go to Game 7 at the United Center in Chicago.
Bulls guard Richard Hamilton, who has been underperforming ever since Rose got injured, knows what to expect in Game-6;
“They are going to treat game in Philadelphia like Game Seven because they don't want to come back here. We have to figure out a way to do the same thing we did tonight and come out of there with a win."
The key to winning for the Sixers may yet rely on their ability to capitalize on their opportunities while going to the basket. They have been able to get to the free throw line 134 times in the series and they would have to continue in similar fashion. On the other hand, Bulls might have Joakim Noah back for the game as his return would make things a little easier for Chicago.
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