With the NBA in an indefinite hiatus due to COVID-19, we continue our day-by-day look back at the history of the Philadelphia 76ers. We continue down our path into Sixers history every day as we look to fill the void left by the absence of basketball.
We’re headed back to 2001 with the Sixers getting set to take on the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals. Philadelphia had just finished off Vince Carter and the Toronto Raptors in a tough seven-game series in the semifinals, but the quest to the NBA Finals does not get easier as they welcomed in a supremely talented Bucks team. Philadelphia held the home-court advantage and had the MVP on their team, but it would not be easy.
May 22, 2001
As talented as Philadelphia was, the Bucks were right there with the same level. Led by their Big 3 of Ray Allen, Glen Robinson, and Sam Cassell, they were a tough team to stop. However, as in most cases during this era, they did not have Allen Iverson and the Sixers did. It can be that simple sometimes.
Iverson had 34 points and six assists while Aaron McKie chipped in 23 and the Sixers survived a battle 93-85 to take a 1-0 series lead. Iverson shot 13-for-35 from the floor, but he did just enough to make sure Philadelphia came out on top in this one.
Philadelphia took the 1-0 lead, but they will have to play much better in order to win Game 2. Milwaukee will come hard and play desperate in order to avoid an 0-2 deficit. [lawrence-related id=31413,31406,31398]