It's Not as Much Fun Watching the Other Team Come Back...But the Sixers Still Take Game 3

After coming back in Game 1, and making a second attempt at an 18 point comeback in Game 2, the Sixers managed to pull out to a 17 point lead, at home, during Game 3 of their series against the Orlando Magic. The game should be in hand, right? I mean, Philadelphia already had to come back twice in the first two games, so they should know how to stop it, shouldn't they?

Well, thanks to a barrage of three point shots from the Magic, a 2-7 effort from the free throw line from the Sixers and Dwight Howard hitting two free throws with 6.9 seconds to play, that 17 point lead had vanished, and it looked as if the Magic would be able to take the game into overtime, where it would only be a matter of time until they wore the Sixers down and took a game that they shouldn't have even been in.

Fortunately for the Sixers, that never got a chance to happen. Thaddeus Young, who had been quiet all night, managed to get inside on Howard and hit a shot with just 2.2 seconds to play, and the Sixers escaped with a 96-94 victory in Game 3. Young's game winning shot ended up overshadowing two excellent performances by Andre Miller and Andre Iguodala, who finished with 24 and 29 points, respectively. If not for Young's heroics, this game may have been known for something else, however.

While Andre Iguodala did manage to hit the game winning shot in Game 1, he did miss two free throws in the final minute that allowed the Magic to go down the floor and tie the game. Tonight, he had the same situation, as the Sixers were up 94-91, Iguodala stepped to the line and missed two free throws. Thirty seconds later, Dwight Howard scored his 35th and 36th points from the free throw line and tied the game. Iguodala is a very good player, but to take that next step, he has to be able to make free throws in the clutch. He's had two chances at it so far this postseason, and has come up short both times. The Sixers won both games though, so there isn't much to worry about.

Now, Philadelphia really has the Magic on the ropes. The Sixers are up 2-1, with home court advantage and they believe that they can knock off Orlando. This game tonight proves that Game 1 wasn't a fluke and they can hang with one of the best teams in the NBA. Andre Miller and Andre Iguodala are going to have to continue to bring their A games, and while there is no real way to stop Dwight Howard, the Sixers are letting him get his, and daring the rest of the Magic players to beat them. So far, it's resulted in two victories, so they must be doing something right. It hasn't been that pretty so far, but wins are wins, and tough basketball games can build teams, and right now the Sixers are being built up.